Los Angeles County’s newest Homekey project provides interim housing for nearly 40 families at a time, including a single mother with six children who had lived in their car for months after becoming homeless. Shanika Murry calls The Sierra’s in Lancaster “the best place I’ve ever been,” and is profoundly grateful to finally have a safe haven for herself and her six children, ages 11 and younger.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger recently visited The Sierra’s, bringing “welcome home” packages for its residents. “There is no doubt in my mind that The Sierra’s is bringing stability, joy, and hope to the families that have moved into this renovated space,” she said. “The smiles on the children’s faces that I saw during my visit were proof of that.”
“I met families who, for the first time, felt safe enough to enjoy an outdoor meal with their children,” she added. “Creating safe environments with support services like this one is critical to the fight against homelessness.”
With a Homekey grant awarded by the State of California and other funding, LA County partnered with the nonprofit Hope the Mission to convert the combined Sands and Tropic motels into The Sierra’s. An interim housing facility dedicated to serving families, it has several beds in each unit to accommodate parents or guardians, and their children, as well as a playground, basketball court, and various other amenities. There are plans for a state-licensed preschool on the property.
At The Sierra’s, Hope the Mission offers a variety of services to help residents gain housing stability that will enable them to ultimately move into permanent housing, such as an apartment. Families are provided three meals a day, case management and housing navigation, as well as referrals to outside service providers for medical and mental health care, parenting classes, support in seeking out childcare and employment, and other assistance.
The Sierra’s is only the first of several Homekey properties that LA County and Hope the Mission have planned for the Antelope Valley. In Lancaster, the Americas Best Value Inn and Suites on Sierra Highway will be renovated and repurposed to create 102 units of interim housing for participants of the LA County’s Pathway Home encampment resolution program. In Palmdale, the former Knights Inn will be renovated and repurposed into 100 units of permanent supportive housing.
“I’m committed to creating more of these types of homeless housing solutions for the communities I represent,” Supervisor Barger said. “I truly believe families experiencing homelessness need a hand up, not a handout. Homekey is a great launchpad that is making that happen.”
In all, LA County has been awarded Homekey grants to acquire 32 properties, mostly hotels and motels, with a combined 2,157 units to convert into interim or permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger (far right) pays a visit to The Sierra’s and brings welcome home packages to its new residents, including Daniel and Shanika. She is greeted by Hope of the Valley program manager, Melissa Amezcua (far left). Photo by Diandra Jay/Los Angeles County.