Placer county has been awarded $23.5 million for its Roseville Hotel Conversion project by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Placer county took part in the state’s highly competitive Homekey 2.0 program, a statewide effort intended to convert vacant or underutilized commercial properties into either permanent or transitional housing, for un-housed people or those at risk of being homeless.
The county has plans of using the Homekey state funding for the purchase of the 85-unit Hampton Inn & Suites hotel located at 110 North Sunrise Avenue in Roseville, which will be converted into 85 residential units and placed under the management of AMI Housing, a local nonprofit provider who will also be providing supportive services. This 4-story, 73,181-square-foot hotel is positioned near the intersection of Sunrise and Douglas Boulevard, an ideal location which will give new residents access to several retail outlets, restaurants and other amenities.
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According to the Placer County Property Manager, Eric Findlay the state funds would not necessarily be used for repairs or rebuilding work on the Roseville Hotel Conversion project, since the property is already in good condition. He said the funds would be used mostly for adding kitchenettes, which will transform the rooms into studio apartment-style living units.
Last December, the Placer county Board of Supervisors gave the approval to submit an application for the state’s Homekey grant, after a consultation with the City of Roseville. The board is now set to hold a discussion on accepting the award for the Roseville Hotel Conversion project, during one of its regular meetings coming up May 10.
Opposition faced by the Roseville hotel Conversion project
At a previous Board of Supervisors meeting some people expressed their concerns for the Roseville hotel Conversion project during public comment, and were opposed to the purchase and sale agreement of the hotel. They were of the opinion that this project would be a magnet for more homeless people with possible mental conditions, and without any means of making them into productive members of the society.
However, the Adult System of Care Division Director for Placer County, Amy Ellis assured the opponents that the future residents of the Roseville hotel Conversion project, would have to be tied to Placer county and also provide proof of this through Medical records. Ellis also said AMI Housing would be available at the site to provide housing, employment and life skills programs to the residents.
Cindy Gustafson, the District 5 Supervisor and Board Chair expressed gratitude to the governor and state’s historic investment program for providing support and collaborating with the City of Roseville to assist some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. She also commended the nonprofit partners that made the process faster and helped to seize the opportunity.
