LA County Seeks $599 Million in State Homekey Funds for Homeless Housing

Los Angeles County is positioning itself to secure $599 million in state Homekey+ funding to expand housing for homeless individuals and veterans. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday afternoon to prepare for the program’s next funding round, which opens its application portal next month.

“This program is a golden opportunity to expand access to sustainable housing for those who need it most, including veterans and individuals with mental health challenges who have nowhere else to go and need support to stay housed,” said Board Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena on the Board. “I’m excited about this next round of funding. The state is an important partner in our local work to help our homeless off the streets and Los Angeles County needs to be ready. We need to maximize every cent.”

Of the total allocation, $277 million will be earmarked for veterans’ housing projects, while $321 million will support general population homeless housing initiatives. The motion directs County departments to assess their readiness and develop plans for leveraging the funds effectively, including setting specific housing unit goals and identifying target populations.

This will mark the County’s fourth round of applying for Homekey funds. The program originated as Project Roomkey early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Lancaster, the County partnered with nonprofit Hope the Mission to convert the Sands and Tropic motels into The Sierra’s — a site offering interim housing for families experiencing homelessness. The same partnership was used to purchase the Knights Inn in Palmdale and the Americas Best Value, Bon Aire, Sahara, and T-Bird motels in Lancaster, which are all being renovated into interim or permanent housing.

As of December 2024, Los Angeles County has used Homekey funds to acquire 32 properties and create over 2,000 units of interim or permanent supportive housing.

All project proposals for the fourth round of Homekey funding must be submitted by May 30, 2025. Once awarded, housing projects must be completed within 24 months. The program supports the acquisition and occupancy of hotels, motels, and other properties to house people experiencing homelessness.