Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a $13.89 million grant for the County of San Mateo to combat homelessness in the Bay Area. This substantial sum, sourced from the Homekey program, is earmarked for creating Permanent Supportive Housing via the conversion of a hotel at 721 Airport Blvd in South San Francisco. The project, positioned at the heart of the County's strategy to provide stable housing for its most vulnerable citizens, now charges ahead with a new lease on life and clear funding.
County Supervisor Dave Pine, within whose district the hotel resides, underscored the significance of this project. "To solve the scourge of homelessness, we must create more housing across San Mateo County," Pine remarked, as per the County of San Mateo. In partnership with the state, the city, and other key players, this grant is a critical resource to house and extend support to the homeless population. South San Francisco Mayor James Coleman also heralded the collaborative effort and commended the state for their instrumental role in this housing initiative. "We’d like to thank Gov. Newsom for this generous grant that is pivotal in our mission to provide affordable and permanent housing for our community members," Coleman said, cited by the County of San Mateo.
The four-story hotel will be transformed into 45 studio apartments complete with kitchenettes and communal spaces designed for residential use. Plans are underway to dedicate a portion of the units to meeting ADA standards and serving those with visual and auditory challenges. This ensures that a diverse set of accessibility needs is catered to, forging a truly inclusive community space.
Residents of these apartments will be sourced through the San Mateo County Coordinated Entry System and asked to pay rent that aligns with 30% of their household income. To bolster the affordability of these dwellings, the County will provide housing vouchers financed by Measure K funds. Regarding operations funding, the Homekey program will initially infuse $1.8 million, sustaining operations for the first two years. After that, housing vouchers funded by the Measure K sales tax are anticipated to supply around $1.1 million annually over the next 15 years.
Notably, Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco is set to oversee daily operations and will actively furnish on-site supportive services. Beth Stokes, executive director of ECS, praised the collaboration, saying, "ECS is honored to partner with the County of San Mateo to help create permanent exits out of homelessness for vulnerable people living in the community," according to the County of San Mateo. These services extend beyond shelter, encompassing education, employment support, healthcare linkages, and peer connection activities.
