Homekey Funding Now Available to Local Governments

This week, the Newsom Administration announced the availability of $600 million in funding for Homekey, the next phase of Project Roomkey to provide shelter for Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk from serious illness from COVID-19. Homekey grant funds are available to counties, cities, and other governmental entities to purchase and rehabilitate hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other types of innovative housing to convert them into permanent, long-term housing for people at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Of the $600 million in Homekey funding, $550 million has been made available through California’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds, with an additional $50 million through the California General Fund to supplement acquisition and initial operating costs. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will begin accepting applications on July 22, 2020; any awards received by local governments must be spent by December 30, 2020. The full announcement from the Governor’s Office is available here. The DHCD notice of funding availability is available here.