Project Homekey is program by the state of California that provides local government agencies with funds to purchase and rehabilitate housing – including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings and other properties – and convert them into permanent, long-term housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Governor Gavin Newsom on June 30, 2020, announced the launch of Project Homekey to protect vulnerable Californians from the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor has made funding available for counties to collaborate with the state to acquire and rehabilitate various housing options and to provide supportive services.
Funding comes from the state’s allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds and the state’s General Fund.
The County of San Mateo was awarded $33 million in Project Homekey funding on Oct. 29, 2020 with an extremely tight deadline of December 30, 2020 to complete the acquisitions and expend the award funds.
The Board of Supervisors voted to accept the award the following week to purchase two properties – the TownePlace Suites Hotel and the Pacific Inn Hotel -- to provide long-term housing and shelter to vulnerable residents, including those who lost shelter due to COVID-19. At that time the Board also authorized an allocation of up to $12,750,000 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds as a match of local funds from the County for capital expenditures required by the Homekey program.
Accepting the award and purchasing the hotels aligns with the Board’s long-standing commitment to end homelessness in San Mateo County.
Click on a tile to learn more about how Project Homekey and other federal and local funds are being invested to end homelessness and care for our most vulnerable residents.