Project Homekey – The Weingart Willows, Los Angeles
Summary
SCH Number
2022020331
Public Agency
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
(DPW)
Document Title
Project Homekey – The Weingart Willows, Los Angeles
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/15/2022
Document Description
The State's Homekey Program (Homekey), has made funding available for local jurisdictions to purchase hotels and other properties to be used as interim and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who are impacted by COVID-19. In September 2021, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the availability of approximately $1.45 billion of Homekey grant funding through its Round 2 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). In late October 2021, the County's Chief Executive Office (CEO) released a Request for Statement of Interest (RFSI) for the identification of nonprofit or for-profit entities (Corporations) to apply jointly with the County of Los Angeles (County) for the Homekey Round 2 NOFA. Selected Corporations would own and, in some cases, operate properties acquired through Homekey Round 2. The County received more than 30 responses to the RFSI, and identified 11 Corporations with whom to submit applications to HCD by January 31, 2022. Selected Corporations have performed due diligence on the properties to ensure the properties are appropriate for use as interim or permanent supportive housing for PEH, and to support a fair market purchase price for the properties. The State's Homekey Round 2 funds will be used to pay for the cost to acquire, develop, and/or rehabilitate each property. In some cases, a local match will be required to acquire, develop, and/or rehabilitate each property. On January 25, 2021, the County authorized applications for 19 proposed Homekey projects, and found the projects to be exempt from CEQA. This Project consists of a 53-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing.
Contact Information
Name
Elizabeth Ben-Ishai
Agency Name
Chief Executive Office – Homeless Initiative
Job Title
Principal Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Angeles
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Vermont Ave and 140th St
Zip
90247
Other Location Info
14032 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90247
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Pub. Res. Code Sec. 21080(b)(4); Guidelines Sec. 15269(c)
Reasons for Exemption
The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 53-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing (PSH). The size of the site is 45,668 sq. ft and the size of the existing structure is 19,133 sq. ft. There are 52 hotel rooms plus with one management unit. The scope of work includes, addition of kitchenettes to units, fire-life safety upgrades, systems upgrades, finishes upgrades, addition of social services space (case management offices) for conversion to PSH, security systems and site security upgrades, accessibility upgrades.
The Project is exempt from CEQA because it will meet the applicable requirements of Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.4, and utilizes Homekey funds allocated pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.3. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Gov. Code Sec. 65650, et seq.; Pub. Res. Code Sec. 21080.27 & 21080.50
Reasons for Exemption
The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 53-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing (PSH). The size of the site is 45,668 sq. ft and the size of the existing structure is 19,133 sq. ft. There are 52 hotel rooms plus with one management unit. The scope of work includes, addition of kitchenettes to units, fire-life safety upgrades, systems upgrades, finishes upgrades, addition of social services space (case management offices) for conversion to PSH, security systems and site security upgrades, accessibility upgrades.
The Project is exempt from CEQA because it will meet the applicable requirements of Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.4, and utilizes Homekey funds allocated pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.3. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Health and Safety Code Sec. 50675.1.4
Reasons for Exemption
The Project utilizes Homekey grant funds and other public funds and will provide housing units for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. The Project consists of a 53-unit motel that will be renovated for permanent supportive housing (PSH). The size of the site is 45,668 sq. ft and the size of the existing structure is 19,133 sq. ft. There are 52 hotel rooms plus with one management unit. The scope of work includes, addition of kitchenettes to units, fire-life safety upgrades, systems upgrades, finishes upgrades, addition of social services space (case management offices) for conversion to PSH, security systems and site security upgrades, accessibility upgrades.
The Project is exempt from CEQA because it will meet the applicable requirements of Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.4, and utilizes Homekey funds allocated pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 50675.1.3. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA because it meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 et seq., as it is a "supportive housing" development, as defined therein, and Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. The Project is also exempt pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.27, as it is an emergency shelter or supportive housing development within the City of Los Angeles, partially funded by the County of Los Angeles. Further, the Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080(b)(4) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15269(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which exempts specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency, the current homelessness crisis facing the County.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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