Two Culver City Motels Repurposed Into Project Homekey Sites

CULVER CITY, CA — Two Culver City motels will be converted into Project Housekey sites to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness in the community.

The two adjacent motels on Sepulveda Boulevard, Deano's Motel and the Sunburst Motel, will be repurposed into 38 interim housing units for the unhoused and 35 permanent supportive housing units for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.

“I'm proud to repurpose these old motels into new Project Homekey sites as a bold, critical part of Culver City’s overall plan for addressing homelessness,” said Culver City Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee. “While the root causes of homelessness are tied to systemic inequities in the region, housing is a fundamental and core solution that can meaningfully address homelessness by providing a safe place indoors where people can find wrap-around services, healing and stabilization. Housing 76 of our neighbors through Project Homekey does not end the problem, but it marks notable progress we can all be proud of.”

Residents of the properties will have access to meals, linen and laundry services and security as well as social services, including an on-site case manager, 24/7 health monitoring and mental health clinicians. Funding for the project was acquired through a Project Homekey Grant and State Budget funding.

To help with the transition from homelessness to permanent housing, supportive services providers will take a "whatever it takes" approach that is "collaborative, trauma-informed, housing first, no-wrong-door and low barrier." The two facilities are scheduled to be completed and opened by the end of 2022.

"Witnessing the growth of homelessness in Culver City and in the region, Culver City is ramping up its efforts to address homelessness and implement goals outlined in the 2018 Council-adopted Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness," said Tevis Barnes, Acting Housing and Human Services Director. "Under the Plan, the first goal is to increase bridge housing options, such as interim and supportive housing, and increase the number of people served. The Project Homekey repurposed motel site is an integral part of this Plan."

The city will host a community-wide groundbreaking event for the two repurposed motels at 3900 Sepulveda Blvd. on Friday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. The Mayor, elected officials, homelessness advocates, partners and members of the community will celebrate the opening of the 73 new units of emergency shelter and supportive housing.