Homekey Program Seeks $28 Million In Funds For Stanton Motels

STANTON, CA —Could the coronavirus pandemic end up ending the homeless crisis in Orange County? With funds from the State, and cities partnering with development corporations, an end to finding places for our homeless may be in sight.

The County of Orange and Jamboree Housing Corporation submitted three applications as co-applicants and in partnership with the City of Stanton under the State Homekey program, all located in the City of Stanton, for a total request of $28.1 million in funding.

The County recently received word that the State reserved funding for both The Tahiti Motel and Stanton Inn and Suites applications. Although this does not yet represent an award from the State, it is one step closer to securing funding to make the Homekey program work.

In the spring, Project Roomkey enabled Orange County's homeless to have somewhere to sleep at area motels identified for this purpose. People at risk of catching coronavirus, or needed to be isolated found solace in hotel rooms, available through the project. Though several cities within Orange County balked at the idea, others, like the City of Stanton, stepped up to help.

The Homekey program seeks to convert motel units into permanent housing apartments, as part of California's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Homekey is the next step, and would be a massive win for public health and addressing the homeless crisis, longterm, a spokesperson for Orange County Health Care says.

The county of Orange, working with Jamboree Housing Corporation and the City of Stanton, has applied for over $28 million in funds from the new Homekey program. Unlike Project Roomkey, which sought hotel rooms for those experiencing homelessness, this new project aims to convert motel rooms into permanent housing units.

Two of the motels identified for funds in the City of Stanton include The Stanton Inn and Suites, on Katella Avenue and the Tahiti Motel, on Beach Boulevard. A third motel is in negotiation with the motel owner, they say. By the end of the project, 132 new affordable homes will be available for those experiencing homelessness.

"The Stanton Inn and Suites is currently being utilized by the County as a Project Roomkey
location," says Mechelle Haines, information officer for the Orange County Community Resources. "Additionally, Jamboree responded to the County of Orange's Request For information with these two sites as potential motel conversions eligible for Homekey funding."

Jamboree brings development experience in converting motels and vast experience in the development and operation of supportive housing. Both the County and City also preliminarily identified funding to support the project.

This partnership and collaboration are what made for a strong application to the State, Haines says.

For now, they await funding decisions from the State.