California housing program under fire as unfinished Homekey projects mount

What's happened

CalMatters and others have found thousands of Homekey projects unfinished or delayed five years into the program, with critics arguing funds were rushed and oversight was lacking; advocates say the effort has still created housing opportunities across the state.

What's behind the headline?

Brief

The Homekey program has accelerated funding to convert existing structures into housing, but faces ongoing scrutiny over cost, pace, and project completion.
Critics say the fast timelines forced underfunded projects and inadequate due diligence, leaving some projects unfinished after years.
Proponents argue that hundreds of projects are bringing housing online and that the program operates at a scale never seen before.

What this means for readers

Costs per unit and per bed are under examination as lawmakers consider how to improve oversight and ensure more complete projects.
Local leaders face pressure to deliver tangible housing outcomes while managing budgets and other services.

Forecast

Expect increased transparency requirements and updated guidelines for future homelessness initiatives, with a focus on project completion timelines and cost controls.

How we got here

California launched the Homekey program in 2020 to convert motels and other structures into housing for the homeless, backed by billions in state funds. Oversight has been criticized as incomplete and timelines were accelerated to move people in quickly. As a result, many projects remain unfinished or delayed, prompting scrutiny of implementation and cost.

Our analysis

CalMatters investigation; The Independent; NY Post coverage on Homekey projects in California; local government statements and responses.

Go deeper

What safeguards will California implement to prevent unfinished projects in future housing programs?
How many Homekey projects have completed on time, and what lessons are being applied to remaining ones?
Will residents experience improvements in services or housing availability as a result of ongoing Homekey efforts?