San Mateo County has purchased two more hotels to help people experiencing homelessness get safe and stable housing.
REDWOOD CITY, CA — The Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to approve the purchase of two former hotels to be repurposed as permanent housing units for people experiencing homelessness.
The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to add two more hotels to its roster of new supportive housing options. (San Mateo County)
The board voted 4-to-1 to buy the La Quinta Inn & Suites on El Camino Real in Millbrae for $33 million and unanimously approved the purchase of the Ramada Limited Airport North in South San Francisco for $11 million.
“The acquisition of these facilities are an important step in our functional zero strategy to address homelessness,” said Dave Pine, the board’s president. “Permanent supportive housing changes people’s lives.”
The approval came despite some pushback by community members in Millbrae, including the city’s mayor, who packed board chambers to voice their displeasure and call on the county to reverse course. As part of the approval, supervisors agreed to provide Millbrae with financial support to offset lost revenue and meet regularly with city officials to address further concerns.
Unlike temporary shelter options, supportive housing requires tenants to enter a lease and pay rent based on their income level. Both properties will also house on-site supportive services, including case managers and health resources.
Once renovations are complete, the Millbrae facility will host 75 units that will be available to qualifying seniors and families. The South San Francisco property will offer 45 units for people experiencing homelessness after applicants are evaluated and screened.
The two purchases are the latest piece in the county’s “Functional Zero” strategy supported by state Project Homekey funds. Since 2020, the county has acquired three hotels in Redwood City, one hotel in San Mateo, and one hotel in Half Moon Bay. Earlier this year, the county opened its Navigation Center in Redwood City, which provides 240 temporary living spaces to help people transition out of homelessness.
https://patch.com/california/redwoodcity-woodside/smc-buys-2-hotels-supportive-housing