A $642,400 grant agreement with Los Angeles County was unanimously approved by the West Hollywood City Council on April 21, 2025, to support operating costs for the Holloway Interim Housing Program. The funding, part of the county’s Cities and Councils of Governments Interim Housing Services (CCOGIHS) Program, will help launch the 20-room facility at 8464 Holloway Drive, set to provide 24/7 interim housing for up to 20 chronically homeless individuals starting in Summer 2025.
The Holloway Interim Housing Program, a key initiative under the city’s 2018 Five-Year Plan to Address Homelessness, aims to offer short-term accommodations and supportive services to help participants secure permanent housing. The facility, acquired in April 2023 with $5.8 million from the state’s Project Homekey Program, has been under renovation since early 2024. Operations will be managed by Ascencia, a homeless services provider partnered with the city since 2016, under a multi-year agreement approved in January 2024. The program will follow Housing First and harm-reduction principles, providing case management, mental health care, substance use treatment, benefits assistance, and housing navigation.
The CCOGIHS grant will cover expenses like case management, utilities, meals, and security for up to 12 months, supplementing $1 million from Project Homekey and $2.8 million from the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The program’s annual operating cost is estimated at $1.4 million, with first-year expenses lower due to a phased launch. The city anticipates supporting the program through FY29 with these funds, while seeking additional grants for long-term sustainability.
During public comment, longtime resident Victor Omelczenko supported the program, urging the council to designate the Holloway Motel as a historic resource. “Take the money and run, fix up that Holloway Motor Hotel, and I know you want to make a launch of it for a transitional center for homeless people,” he said. “Let’s combine affordable housing at the renovated, affordable Holloway Motor Inn along with official designation of that building as a historic resource.” Omelczenko highlighted the upcoming Route 66 centennial in 2026 as an opportunity for preservation.
Participants, enrolled through the Los Angeles County Coordinated Entry System, will have an average stay of 30 to 90 days, though some may remain up to 9-12 months depending on permanent housing availability. The city and Ascencia are finalizing preparations, including staffing, service partnerships, and community outreach, to ensure a successful launch. This initiative underscores West Hollywood’s commitment to addressing homelessness through innovative housing solutions and regional collaboration.
I love this idea but 1 million plus a year to run in to help 20 people a year? I don’t think so. Go back to the drawing board.
homeless shelters should do wonders for business – tourism and property values – democrats are a spiritual and social disease that needs to be eradicated
It is costing taxpayers $600,000+ for a single homeless bed at this location plus $70,000 annually to upkeep, maintain and secure a single bed!!!
Why doesn’t the county just buy each person a home at this price point with periodic supervised case manager visits . . .
Spending this amount of money per bed is not how you address our homeless crisis. I question how this type of project gets approved.
I’m proud to see our city invest in services for our most vulnerable neighbors. Housing first models of addressing homelessness have proven to be effective and less costly than traditional methods. I hope to see this program expand as this pilot takes off!
The second this place opens there will be a HUGE influx of homeless being pushed into weho from surrounding areas. :\
This is really nothing more than a $$ generator of the city.