Project Homekey 3.0 - Hope the Mission, Lancaster
Summary
SCH Number
2023060609
Public Agency
Los Angeles County
Document Title
Project Homekey 3.0 - Hope the Mission, Lancaster
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/22/2023
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). In late 2022, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the availability of approximately $736 million of Homekey grant funding through its Round 3 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). In December 2022, the County's Chief Executive Office (CEO) released a Request for Statement of Qualifications (RFSI) for the identification of nonprofit or for-profit entities (Corporations) eligible to apply jointly with the County of Los Angeles (County) for the Homekey Round 3 NOFA. In February 2023, the CEO released a Request for Services (RFS), which eligible Corporations had the opportunity to respond to with project proposals. Selected Corporations would own and, in some cases, operate properties acquired through Homekey Round 3. The County received more than 30 responses to the RFS and identified 11 Corporations with whom to submit applications to HCD by July 28, 2023. 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 3 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 May 2, 2023, the County authorized applications for 11 proposed Homekey projects, and found the projects to be exempt from CEQA.
This Project consists of the conversion of three motels totaling 60 units into 60 units of permanent supportive housing. Unit upgrades include new kitchens, windows, doors, fixtures, and floor/wall coverings. Exterior upgrades include replacing all three septic systems and/or connecting to sewer, adding fences for security, and cameras where appropriate, installing solar panels, and planting shade trees. The manager’s unit will be converted to supportive services space.
Contact Information
Name
Tanya Ortiz
Agency Name
County of Los Angeles Homeless Initiative
Job Title
Senior Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Lancaster
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Zip
93535
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or 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. This Project consists of the conversion of three motels totaling 60 units into 60 units of permanent supportive housing. Unit upgrades include new kitchens, windows, doors, fixtures, and floor/wall coverings. Exterior upgrades include replacing all three septic systems and/or connecting to sewer, adding fences for security, and cameras where appropriate, installing solar panels, and planting shade trees. The manager’s unit will be converted to supportive services space.
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. It also is exempt because it meets the requirements of Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. 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. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and Class 1, of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G, because the Project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, it is not located in a sensitive environment, there are no unusual circumstances that would have a significant effect on the environment, there are no impacts to scenic highways, it is not located on a hazardous waste site, and there is no indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 Existing Facilities, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, County of Los Angeles Environmental Document Procedures and
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. This Project consists of the conversion of three motels totaling 60 units into 60 units of permanent supportive housing. Unit upgrades include new kitchens, windows, doors, fixtures, and floor/wall coverings. Exterior upgrades include replacing all three septic systems and/or connecting to sewer, adding fences for security, and cameras where appropriate, installing solar panels, and planting shade trees. The manager’s unit will be converted to supportive services space.
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. It also is exempt because it meets the requirements of Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. 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. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and Class 1, of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G, because the Project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, it is not located in a sensitive environment, there are no unusual circumstances that would have a significant effect on the environment, there are no impacts to scenic highways, it is not located on a hazardous waste site, and there is no indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080.50 and Gov. Code Sec. 65650 et seq.
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. This Project consists of the conversion of three motels totaling 60 units into 60 units of permanent supportive housing. Unit upgrades include new kitchens, windows, doors, fixtures, and floor/wall coverings. Exterior upgrades include replacing all three septic systems and/or connecting to sewer, adding fences for security, and cameras where appropriate, installing solar panels, and planting shade trees. The manager’s unit will be converted to supportive services space.
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. It also is exempt because it meets the requirements of Public Resources Code Section 21080.50, as it is an "interim motel housing project" as defined therein. 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. The Project is also categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), and Class 1, of the County's Environmental Document Reporting Procedures and Guidelines, Appendix G, because the Project consists of the renovation of an existing motel for permanent supportive housing purposes with negligible or no expansion of its existing or former use. In addition, based on the record of the Project, it will comply with all applicable regulations, it is not located in a sensitive environment, there are no unusual circumstances that would have a significant effect on the environment, there are no impacts to scenic highways, it is not located on a hazardous waste site, and there is no indication that it may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource that would make the exemptions inapplicable.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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