On Friday, September 29, the City of Culver City celebrated the opening of Project Homekey, the motel conversion project at 3868 and 3900 Sepulveda Boulevard that is projected to provide interim housing for 38 people experiencing homelessness and permanent housing for 35 people.
“Project Homekey is a statewide program, administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), to rapidly expand housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness through a variety of housing types, including motel repurposing,” reads a statement from the city. “To date, Project Homekey has funded 94 projects, created 5,911 units, and housed 8,264 individuals around the state, according to the program’s website.”
Mayor Albert Vera, CC council members, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and Representatives from service providers at St. Joseph’s Center and Exodus Recovery, city construction and development partners, homelessness advocates, local businesses and institutions, were all on hand to celebrate the opening on Friday.
“The Project Homekey developments in Culver City repurposed two adjacent motels on Sepulveda Boulevard, Deano’s Motel and the Sunburst Motel, for interim housing and permanent supportive housing,” the city’s statement read. “Combined, the projects take an innovative approach to streamlining housing and social services by co-locating both interim housing and longer-term supportive housing next to each other. In addition to meals, linen and laundry services, and security, residents will have access to social services, including an on-site case manager, 24/7 health monitoring, and mental health clinicians. The interim housing will provide 38 rooms for unhoused households to stay for up to 90 days, with extensions granted based on resident need.”
In addition, the project provides 35 rooms for households experiencing chronic homelessness “for a length of time determined by resident need and choice.”
“The goal of permanent supportive housing is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where formerly unhoused individuals can transition into independent community living,” reads the statement. “In assisting residents in their transition from homelessness to permanent housing, the supportive services provider at the facilities will employ a ‘whatever it takes’ approach, defined as ‘collaborative, person-centered, trauma-informed, housing first, no-wrong-door, and low barrier’.”
The successful opening of Project Homekey follows swiftly after the opening of Culver City’s first Safe Sleep location at 10401 Virginia Avenue.