Homekey & Rapid Response Homeless Housing (R2H2) Programs

Oakland's Homekey and R2H2 Programs aim to quickly increase housing options for residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.  

Homekey funds are awarded to localities by the State of California's Department of Housing and Community Development, a resource developed to sustain and rapidly expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness due to the COVID-19 crisis. After three rounds of awards from 2021-2023, the State of California Program continues as Homekey+. Oakland established R2H2 to support and extend these efforts with local funding.

Oakland was awarded over $98 million to provide 448 units of supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Homekey from 2021 to 2023, in partnership with local developers. Eight projects involve the acquisition and conversion of motels and multifamily buildings, and one is a modular new construction development on a City-owned vacant lot that will break ground in 2024. 

The R2H2 Program has awarded funds to one additional project to add transitional housing capacity for 20 homeless youth, with five additional projects under review as of fall 2024.

Homekey project proposals are submitted by the City in partnership with private developers. The application period for the fourth round of Homekey funding, now called Homekey+, is closed with three projects under review. R2H2 is accepting applications on a rolling basis. 

Click below for more information about the competitive Request for Proposals process.

Piedmont Place: ($14.9M, 44 units): Acquisition and conversion of a motel into permanent supportive housing for individuals. In partnership with MPI Homes and Bay Area Community Services. Occupancy began November 2022.

Kingdom Builder Transitional Housing Program: ($5.6M, 34 units): Rehabilitation of a Single Room Occupancy property for transitional housing serving formerly incarcerated adults and youth. In partnership with LJ Jennings. Property was fully leased as of December 2022.

Inn by the Coliseum: ($4.2M, 36 units): Acquisition and conversion of a motel into permanent supportive housing for individuals. In partnership with Danco Communities. Acquired January 2023. Occupancy expected to begin November 2024.

Covenant House ($1.2M, 20 beds): Additional 20 beds for youth at risk of homelessness or trafficking in an existing facility. In partnership with Covenant House. Project completion and occupancy expected to begin June 2025.

Five additional R2H2 proposals are currently under review.