Oakland awarded $7.1 million in Homekey+ funds for The Maya Motel

Published on August 25, 2025

maya motel

Oakland, CA – The City of Oakland has been awarded $7.1 million in State of California Homekey+ funds to acquire and rehabilitate the Maya Motel in District 1 at 4715 Telegraph Avenue.

Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced Homekey+ program awards to rehabilitate properties and create housing for residents who are experiencing homelessness. The funding is a result of voter-approved Proposition 1 which brings $6.4 billion for mental health treatment and housing with services. 

The Maya is an existing motel that will be converted into 23 studio apartments for people exiting homelessness. All units will consist of kitchenettes, cooktops, refrigerators, private bathrooms, and bed furnishings. Additionally, free internet service will be available in all units, and free laundry services are provided for all residents. The project is centered among a multitude of amenities including AC Transit bus transportation, MacArthur BART station, farmer’s markets, retail establishments, and medical services.

"The Maya project demonstrates what Oakland can accomplish when we combine smart policy with decisive action. Every one of these 23 units represents a person who will have stability, dignity, and the support they need to rebuild," said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. "Oakland leads by example, and we're committed to moving forward with these solutions until every resident has housing."

This award marks Oakland’s tenth successful Homekey application, building on the City’s deepening focus towards creating housing for formerly homeless individuals. The award leverages nearly $8.7 million of City of Oakland funds via the Rapid Response Homeless Housing (R2H2) program as well as $1.8 million from Alameda County’s Department of Behavioral Health.   

As with all of Oakland’s Homekey projects, there will be a multi-pronged structure to ensure the project is successful. Danco Communities will develop and own the property, and Operation Dignity will serve as the property manager and service provider. Operation Dignity will connect residents to community resources for substance abuse services, peer support activities, physical and mental health services, and education and employment services. 

Homekey+, administered by California Housing & Community Development, is the state’s renowned program that began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate the purchase and/or rehabilitation of hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, manufactured homes, and other properties, and convert them into homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

With this latest award, Oakland has secured more than $105.5 million of State Homekey funds since 2020 to house residents experiencing homelessness. The City’s ten awarded Homekey projects provide a total of 490 deeply affordable units for the unhoused. Oakland’s other awarded Homekey projects include:  

  1. Clifton Hall, a former dormitory that offers 61 units for seniors and families; 
  2. Inn by the Coliseum, a repurposed motel with 36 units; 
  3. Project Reclamation, a series of scattered single-family homes throughout Oakland housing 80 families and individuals; 
  4. Inn at Temescal, a repurposed motel with 21 units for veterans experiencing homelessness; 
  5. Piedmont Place, a repurposed motel with 44 units; 
  6. Kingdom Builders Transitional Housing, a repurposed motel with 34 transitional units for homeless youth and formerly incarcerated residents;  
  7. Imperial Inn, a repurposed motel that will have over 47 permanent supportive housing units; 
  8. CSH Enterprise/Quality Inn, a repurposed motel offering 104 units including 26 for transitional-aged youth; and 
  9. Dignity Village, 40 modular units for seniors experiencing homelessness to be built on publicly-owned land  

What they're saying:

“I’m thrilled to have this protect underway in our district. High-quality permanent supportive housing, with effective wrap-around services, is exactly what we need to effectively and compassionately address homelessness,” said District 1 Councilmember Zac Unger. “We know that stable housing, access to care, and seamless mobility to jobs, education, and community resources promotes long-term stability and well-being.”  

"Increasing the supply of deeply affordable housing is critical in our efforts to address the homelessness crisis,” said Oakland Housing and Community Development Director Emily Weinstein. “We are proud to invest both in homelessness prevention and permanent housing exits which, together with interim shelter, will strengthen the flow of our city’s overall homelessness response system.” 

“We are incredibly pleased to be in a position to collaborate with the City of Oakland on this important housing resource for the community,” said Alameda County of Behavioral Health Department Director Dr. Karen Tribble. “We share the City of Oakland’s commitment to providing life-changing resources to those who are in greatest need and know that many individuals are who are experiencing severe mental illness will be supported through this project.” 

"Operation Dignity is honored to partner with the City of Oakland. We believe every veteran deserves access to a stable and safe living environment, essential resources, and community referrals,” said Timothy Evans, Executive Director of Operation Dignity. “We are dedicated to nurturing lasting relationships with the VA and Oakland Veterans community to provide comprehensive support. As we continue this essential mission, we are committed to positioning Operation Dignity as a leader in veterans’ services in the Bay Area, striving to create a brighter future for those who have courageously served our country.” 

“Danco Communities is honored to partner with the City of Oakland on the Maya Hotel project. The Homekey funds will allow us to transform this property into high-quality, service-enriched housing that provides stability and dignity for Oakland residents in need. We are deeply committed to creating affordable housing solutions that strengthen communities, and we look forward to working alongside the city to bring this vision to life,” said Chris Dart, President of Danco Communities. 

“California’s Homekey+ continues to help people experiencing homelessness gain access to affordable and stable housing, while providing vital connections to critical supportive services that keep people housed," said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss. "The projects awarded build on the Governor's commitment to create housing for all Californians, especially our most vulnerable.” 

“Through the Homekey+ program, we are able to connect our deserving veterans—and other Californians facing behavioral health challenges—to housing stability and the critical services needed to help them maintain that newfound stability,” said State of California HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We are grateful for the opportunity California voters provided to build on the successes of Homekey statewide and help house Californians most in need.” 

Homelessness and housing affordability are top priorities for Oakland residents. To address these challenges, the City is carrying out a multi-pronged approach. The Housing and Community Development Department is addressing housing affordability issues through its “3P” framework: Protect Oaklanders from displacement; Preserve the existing affordable housing stock; and Produce new, deeply affordable housing units.  

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