Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
California Has Surpassed Its Goal Of 15,000 Hotel Rooms For The Homeless
A new partnership with Motel 6 has helped California surpass its initial goal of 15,000 hotel rooms to support the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom said today.
Project Roomkey is the state's effort to get the most vulnerable Californians off the streets and into shelter. As of today, the state had procured nearly 11,000 hotel or motel rooms as part of the project, and 4,211 people are now inside and off the streets, Newsom said. That's an occupancy rate of about 38%.
Adding to that total, Motel 6 agreed to set aside 47 of its motels in 19 counties for an additional 5,025 rooms, bringing the total to nearly 16,000 rooms.
Support for LAist comes from
Newsom said all the occupants of these rooms will be provided three meals a day through a partnership with World Central Kitchen.
Project Roomkey puts a priority on the most vulnerable, including:
- Those who have tested positive for the coronavirus
- Those who live in congregate settings who have been exposed
- Those who are most likely to get severe illness, including the elderly and those with underlying medical issues
Newsom said the state is looking for ways to reserve some of these hotel rooms to provide longer-term solutions to the homelessness crisis. The state and Motel 6 are working on a "template" lease agreement that, the governor said, might "make it much easier beyond this pandemic to potentially consider these sites as a broader portfolio to provide some more permanency for those most in need in the state of California."
The news comes as 87 more people died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. That brings the total deaths in California to 1,072, Newsom reported.
Hospitalizations also increased in the past 24 hours by 1.3%, though the number of people in intensive care units decreased a small amount, about 0.1%.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist