The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the first set of awards for the expanded Homekey program, California’s innovative, nation-leading effort to purchase and rehabilitate structures and convert them into housing for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The following grants include $105 million for four awards, totaling 433 new homes for people exiting homelessness:  

  • The City of Victorville has been awarded $28 million to create and operate 110 modular one-bedroom units with a minimum capacity of 170 beds, to provide interim housing to people experiencing homelessness. The project is part of the Victorville Wellness Center, a campus featuring onsite supportive services and ample community space; 
  • The Housing Authority of the County of Kern has been awarded $8.4 million to build 40 units of Permanent Supportive Housing. This is a new construction project being developed on vacant land in Bakersfield, CA; 
  • The County of San Mateo will receive $55.3 million to construct a 240-unit Navigation Center on a 2.5-acre County owned site in Redwood City. The Center will provide transitional housing and intensive support services to those experiencing homelessness to help navigate from unsheltered life to stable housing; and 
  • The County of San Mateo will also receive $13.5 million to acquire and rehabilitate an existing hotel. Of the 44 units, 7 will be ADA compliant. The project will provide service-rich interim housing options to those experiencing homelessness and in need of immediate housing.