Two New Homekey Projects Open in Long Beach

HCD joined residents, local leaders, and community partners to celebrate the grand openings of two new Homekey projects in Long Beach: Zephyr and Crescent.

Named after butterflies to symbolize transformation and renewal, these developments provide permanent supportive housing for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness with incomes at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income. Together, Zephyr and Crescent have created 177 new homes that will lift local residents out of homelessness and into a safe community.

"Together, Zephyr and Crescent demonstrate how Long Beach and Los Angeles County are leveraging Homekey to tackle the region's housing shortage head-on, creating pathways to healing, belonging, and hope," said Linc Housing President and COO Suny Lay Chang.

Zephyr

Formerly a Holiday Inn, Zephyr was initially used by Los Angeles County as interim housing, offering 137 temporary units. The County later partnered with Linc Housing to convert the site into permanent supportive housing, made possible by nearly $21 million in Homekey funding from HCD.

Zephyr now offers 135 permanent homes for people who have experienced homelessness, along with two units for on-site managers. Residents benefit from project-based Section 8 vouchers provided by the Long Beach Housing Authority and receive comprehensive wrap-around services from Linc Housing, including case management and supportive care.

Crescent

Crescent, previously a Motel 6, followed a similar path. After serving as interim housing, the site was redeveloped by Linc Housing into 39 affordable homes and one manager's unit. As with Zephyr, Crescent residents receive project-based Section 8 vouchers and access to a wide range of supportive services, including:

• Mental and physical health care,
• Employment counseling and job placement,
• Educational support, and
• Substance use counseling.

Crescent's primary funding came from a $6.6 million award from HCD's Homekey program.

"The state's Homekey program has been a game changer for us," said Los Angeles County Supervisor, Janice Hahn. "By partnering with Linc Housing and using state funding to convert these two buildings, we have 177 new apartments for the people who most need them in Long Beach."

Both Zephyr and Crescent broke ground in March 2024 and were completed in just over a year. Together, they now provide safe, stable housing for 174 formerly unhoused households.

About Homekey

Across three rounds, HCD's Homekey program supported the creation of nearly 16,000 interim and permanent supportive homes across California, expected to serve more than 172,000 people over the life of the projects. In Long Beach alone, Homekey has helped fund 358 homes. Modeled on the highly successful Homekey program, voter-approved Proposition 1-funded Homekey+ will build on that progress at scale statewide to advance the Governor's vision to alleviate homelessness in California.