Lake Elsinore Scores Chunk Of State Homeless-Relief Funding

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — The city of Lake Elsinore will receive $3.14 million in homeless relief funds from the state, under a program that requires recipients to acquire, rehab or construct transitional housing for people living on the streets, it was announced Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Lake Elsinore was among seven entities statewide selected for a total of $76.5 million in "Homekey" disbursals.

"We are realizing our dream of helping local jurisdictions acquire thousands of motel rooms and convert them into housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness," Newsom said. "Homekey is the first effort of its kind in the nation and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the most vulnerable people in our state."

The program is administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and according to the agency, the first round of awards going out to Lake Elsinore and the other jurisdictions will fund 10 projects, netting 579 dwelling units.

Lake Elsinore's grant covers the cost of procuring and renovating an abandoned hotel to establish 14 transitional housing units that can provide accommodations for a maximum 28 individuals. The location was not specified.

The city is required to expend the funds by Dec. 30 under the grant terms.

Officials said the goal is to end the municipality's chronic homelessness within the next two years.
Homekey was announced in July, with $600 million set aside under the 2020-21 fiscal year budget. Roughly 90% of the money originated from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act distribution to the state, according to the governor's office.

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--City News Service