San Mateo granted $16M for hotel conversion as part of Project Homekey

San Mateo County is getting $16 million to turn an old hotel into permanent supportive housing.

Governor Gavin Newsom said the funds would be granted as a part of Project Homekey, Patch.com reported. The money will go toward the purchase, renovation and operation of the 51-room Comfort Inn & Suites at 1818 El Camino Real in Redwood City.

County officials said the Redwood City Council is also considering contributing an additional $1.3 million in unspent federal funds. The extra financing would go toward adding a kitchenette to each room.

On-site services including education, employment, mental health rehabilitation and medical assistance from Alta Housing and the Mental Health Association of San Mateo County will also be provided.

“Every homeless individual in San Mateo County who wants shelter deserves the opportunity to receive it and these funds provide an amazing opportunity to do that,” County Manager Mike Callagy said in a statement. “These funds create real and lasting change in the lives of those they help and bring us one step closer to reaching functional zero homelessness.”

In nearby Santa Clara, $22 million in state funding was awarded for a hotel conversion as a part of Project Homekey. Construction on the Bella Vista Inn is set to begin in March and be completed by December and will yield 67 units of interim housing.

Project Homekey began last year with the goal of helping cities, counties and nonprofits buy hotels, apartments and other buildings to turn them into housing for people without homes.

In 2020, the program granted $846 million to create more than 6,000 units. Then Newsom committed to donating another $2.75 billion, $1.45 billion of which will be granted in 2022.

San Mateo County has received two previous Project Homekey grants — $33 million in November 2020 and $68 million in December 2021.

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[Patch] — Victoria Pruitt