The Holloway Interim Housing Project will be located at the former Holloway Motel property on Santa Monica Boulevard. (photo by Sam Mulick)

The Holloway Interim Housing Project received a certificate of occupancy on June 10. The project will provide temporary housing and services for homeless individuals in West Hollywood and is aiming to open later this summer, Joshua Schare, a spokesperson for the city of West Hollywood, said.

“It’s been long coming but we are so happy to report this amazing milestone,” Assistant City Manager Jackie Rocco said during a June 9 City Council meeting.

The project is funded through a combination of approximately $6 million from a California Homekey grant and $7 million from the West Hollywood Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The housing site, located at the former Holloway Motel property at 8465 Santa Monica Blvd., will be managed by Ascencia, a nonprofit homeless services agency. The project will serve 20 individuals in 20 rooms and will prioritize providing temporary housing for people who are chronically homeless, Dr. Laura Duncan, executive director of Ascencia, said. Chronically homeless individuals have a disability or have experienced homelessness on at least four separate occasions in the past three years, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Duncan added that chronically homeless individuals are the most vulnerable and that Ascencia will refer people who do not qualify for the Holloway Interim Housing Project to other types of interim housing. Individuals can enroll in the program by appointment only.

The project will provide housing for individuals for up to 90 days and will assist people with locating permanent housing and other social services including health care, nutrition, financial planning, community activities and employment readiness. The project will be staffed 24 hours by Ascencia staffers. The project aligns with West Hollywood’s Homeless Initiative, established in 2016, and will double the city’s available interim housing beds for adults.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, said the program is a “lifeline” for people experiencing homelessness and puts people on a path toward permanent housing.

“When we fund housing and supportive services, we address the root causes of homelessness and reduce the strain on emergency rooms, law enforcement and other crisis resources that end up costing taxpayers even more. I firmly believe that every dollar we invest in safe shelter, treatment and permanent housing is a direct investment in a safer, healthier community for West Hollywood residents, businesses and visitors, as well as for surrounding neighborhoods,” Horvath said.

“West Hollywood understands the importance of rehabilitation and transitional housing in a continuum of care for our region. Every community must do their part for this crisis to come to an end, and I am not surprised that West Hollywood is once again providing a shining example for us all,” Horvath added.

The location will move through other permitting approvals throughout the summer with the target of an August opening, Schare said.