California's effort to create emergency supportive housing options during the pandemic has completed a large-scale acquisition process.

"Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that all 94 Homekey projects have closed escrow, buildings that will provide 6,029 critically needed housing units for people experiencing homelessness throughout California," according to a press release from Gov. Newsom's office.
The state used total of $750 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars to help finance 51 applicants for the 94 projects. "In addition, $96 million in operating supports – a combination of state funds and philanthropic investment – has also been fully awarded. In total, Homekey utilized $846 million to rapidly purchase and subsidize these 6,029 units in less than six months from start to finish," according to the press release.
"The purpose of these acquisitions is to create permanent places for at-risk individuals experiencing homelessness to live safely, protecting them from many public health risks including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Several media outlets, local and national, have been tracking Project Homekey in recent months. Here's a sample of recent news coverage about the ongoing effort to protect the state of California's large population of unhoused residents during the pandemic.
- LA City Council continues to convert hotels into interim housing thanks to Project Homekey (Archinect, December 15, 2020)
- Can Gov. Gavin Newsom use the pandemic to beat back homelessness? (ABC 10, November 30, 2020)
- Project Homekey changes lives for the better (OC Register, November 28, 2020)
- Project Homekey proceeds over local objections (Los Angeles Daily News, October 22, 2020)
- California’s Project Homekey Turns Hotels into Housing (Next City, September 29, 2020)
FULL STORY: Governor Newsom Announces Major Homekey Milestone: All 94 Sites Closing Escrow Ahead of Deadline

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie