The City of San Luis Obispo and People’s Self-Help Housing start construction on Project Homekey at former Motel 6

People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is starting construction on its latest affordable housing project: Calle Joaquin Apartments.

The former Motel 6 site will be developed to bring 76 units, including a manager unit, to extremely low-income individuals who are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused. Residents will have access to a community center, laundry room, outdoor recreational spaces, on-site property management, and supportive services.

“The need is greater than ever to serve these at-risk populations,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO & President. “To provide a stable and supportive place to live is the first step in moving the needle on homelessness and this project does just that. We are grateful that the City reached out to us to pursue a Homekey project with the intent of delivering permanent supportive housing and we look forward to the continued collaboration to bring these individuals home.”

Calle Joaquin Apartments is made possible by a $19,358,270 grant through the Homekey Program, innovative funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The City of San Luis Obispo played a key role in obtaining these funds by acting as co-applicant. The Project will serve households who are unhoused and at risk of becoming unhoused. PSHH and 5 Cities Homeless Coalition will be the lead service providers for the new community which will include homes for youth who are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused, chronically homeless households, and other homeless households.

“Preventing and reducing homelessness is a major goal for the City of San Luis Obispo and this project will get us one step closer to realizing that goal,” said Whitney McDonald, San Luis Obispo City Manager. “Because every person is different and has different needs, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to homelessness. This is one more tool in our toolbox that will help people permanently avoid homelessness by receiving housing first, ongoing case management, mental health services, education services, life skills training, transportation and more. The City is proud to partner with People’s Self-Help Housing to bring these much-needed services into our community.” For more details on how the City of San Luis Obispo is reducing and preventing homelessness and how you can help, visit www.slocity.org/homelessness.

Calle Joaquin Apartments is coming together through a collaborative effort with the City of San Luis Obispo and numerous public and private partners. The HCD Homekey program funded the property acquisition and property improvements required for occupancy. Additional funding sources include the City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo, Wells Fargo Homekey Accelerator, and The Balay Ko Foundation. Long-term rental assistance for a portion of units is provided by the City of San Luis Obispo Housing Authority. The Architect for the motel conversion project is Arris Studio Architects and PSHH is the General Contractor.