Memorandum
Date: August 11, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Todd Metcalf, Director, Department of Behavioral Health Services
Subject: Consideration of Resolution Authorizing a Joint Application by the County of Lake and the Elijah House Foundation for the California Department of Housing and Community Development Homekey Grant Program
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
The Homekey Program is an extension of Project Roomkey, which successfully helped California jurisdictions provide interim housing for individuals experiencing homelessness exacerbated by the additional complications related to a high-risk to COVID-19 exposure.
This program transitions the community's focus to assisting jurisdictions in the development of permanent solutions to the homelessness crisis. Together with the Elijah House Foundation, the County has an opportunity to apply for grant funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to acquire and rehabilitate a structure to house homeless individuals and/or those most at risk for serious illness due to COVID-19.
Elijah House plans to seek Homekey funding to purchase and rehabilitate the Starlight Hotel Resort property located between Lucerne & Clearlake Oaks on State Highway 20. The property includes 4 structures containing multiple units with the ability to comfortably house an estimated 26 persons.
Elijah House also intends to seek Homekey operational funding to provide low barrier housing at the Starlight property, following the Housing First model. Housing will be available for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond providing low barrier housing, the Elijah House Foundation plans to offer behavioral health and drug alcohol recovery services on site at the Starlight facility. Housing will be in no way contingent upon d...
Click here for full text