Willow Tree

CEO - Homeless Initiative

County Spending Category
1.1 Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
Federal Expenditure Category
Long-term Housing Security: Affordable Housing
Project Launch Date
07/31/2025
Anticipated End Date
12/31/2026

Project Contacts

Indicators & Metrics to Date

  • Number of Affordable Housing Units Preserved or Developed
    100
  • Board Approval
    3
  • Enter into Funding Agreements with each developer
    0
  • 20% Construction Complete
    9
  • 50% Construction Complete
    9
  • 75% Construction Complete
    9
  • Beginning Construction
    1
  • Ongoing tracking pre-development and construction phase progress.
    1
  • Construction of 100 units of permanent supportive housing and spaces for all support services for PEH completed and certificate of occupancy obtained..
    1
  • Implement agreements with the ICMS provider (DHS)
    1

Populations Served

  • People Experiencing Homelessness
  • People with Disabilities
  • Systems Impacted Individuals
  • Systems Involved Individuals
  • Individuals Experiencing Mental Health Disorders
  • Individuals Experiencing Substance Use Disorders
  • PEH with co-occurring physical and behavioral issues.

Project Description

As a part of the State of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD’s) Project Homekey (PHK) Round 1 Program, the County of Los Angeles applied for funding to acquire properties that will be used as permanent supportive housing (PSH) for people experiencing homelessness (PEH). On September 29, 2020, and October 13, 2020, the Board of Supervisors authorized the acquisition of ten (10) motels/hotel sites for rehabilitation and conversion into Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) or at high risk of experiencing homelessness. The County utilized the Cares Act funding grant for the acquisition and County provided for the local match required for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and operation of these properties, including the Willow Tree Inn in Compton, CA (the property is currently comprised of two, two-story motel buildings and the rehab will result in 100 units of PSH). The acquisition, rehabilitation and operation of the Willow Tree Inn is part of this larger initiative to Convert Interim Housing Units to Permanent Housing that will provide housing for the most vulnerable residents of the County of Los Angeles, all of whom have been impacted by COVID-19. With the onset of the pandemic, the number of deaths among PEH in the County increased, going from 1,271 deaths pre-pandemic (March 31, 2019-April 1, 2020) to 1,988 deaths (April 1, 2020-March 31, 2021). While COVID-19 became the third leading cause of death among PEH in the post-pandemic onset year, the overall increase was driven to an equal or more considerable degree by increases in overdoses, homicide, congenital heart disease, and traffic injury deaths. Evidence shows the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated stressors already present in the lives of PEH, leading to increases in other causes of death, even as we redoubled our COVID-19 prevention efforts in this population. The Project HomeKey Round 1 Program (including the acquisition, rehab and operation of Willow Tree Inn) will help reduce these stressors and create more stability for PEH, increasing their ability to secure safe housing and comprehensive supportive services to stabilize and maintain their housing.

Goals & Objectives

Goal Description The Project’s key goal is to: Create 100 units of permanent supportive housing for People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) or at high risk of experiencing homelessness, and who are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to their significantly higher levels of medical vulnerability to the virus, as well as the economic instability they face on an ongoing basis.

Objective Description By April 30, 2025, Create 100 units of permanent supportive housing at the Willow Tree Inn site for People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) or at high risk of experiencing homelessness, and who are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to their significantly higher levels of medical vulnerability to the virus, as well as the economic instability they face on an ongoing basis.

Activity Description Provide solicitation process for qualified entities, including General Contractors to apply and architects to make recommendations. Work in partnership with County partners and outside consultants to evaluate all applications submitted, and determine qualified general contractor.

Activity Description By 12/31/2022, the organization aims to secure official approvals from the Board of Supervisors and the relevant state authorities for the transfer of a designated property to a selected entity. Additionally, the organization will seek Board approval to formalize funding agreements that will financially support the upcoming renovation efforts for this property.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
16 Performance Board Approval 3.00

Activity Description Enter into funding agreement with property developer. Enter into lease and or purchase and sale agreement depending upon the type of transfer occurring during the construction phase of the project being in either incorporated or unincorporated areas of the County.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
18 Performance Enter into Funding Agreements with each developer 1.00 1.00

Objective Description Objective 2: Housing for Health will oversee the predevelopment and construction process of the Willow Tree Inn project to ensure that the developer is completing the project on time and on budget with 100% construction completion by 4/30/2025.

Activity Description Weekly check-in monitoring and tracking calls with HFH and Project Developer. HFH's Capital Projects Team will conduct site visits and regularly track the progress of the construction project. HFH subject matter experts will track expenditures.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
2 Performance Ongoing tracking pre-development and construction phase progress. 0.00 1.00

Objective Description Project Sponsor will partner with Board offices to engage communities surrounding the Project Homekey site by 6/1/2023

Activity Description Developers will engage with the respective board office and engage with other stakeholders prior to starting construction on the project. Additionally, developer will conduct community engagement activities at the completion of the project prior to tenant occupancy.

Objective Description Collaborate with developer, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Department of Health Services, and the LA County Community Development Authority to lease up the properties, ensure that contracts for intensive case management services are executed, and project-based vouchers are contracted for site by 12/31/2024.

Activity Description Work with selected providers to implement agreements with the ICMS provider (DHS)

Outcome Description Construction of PSH (from IH)
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
3 Program Outcome Construction of 100 units of permanent supportive housing and spaces for all support services for PEH completed and certificate of occupancy obtained.. 0.00 1.00
35 Program Outcome 20% Construction Complete 0.00 1.00
36 Program Outcome 50% Construction Complete 0.00 1.00
37 Program Outcome 75% Construction Complete 0.00 1.00

Outcome Description Connect participants to supportive services, such as mental health & medical care, SUD services, community supports, etc. By April 30, 2025, deliver comprehensive and personalized supportive services to at least 100 clients currently residing in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The success of this goal will be measured by tracking the number of clients benefitting from these services and assessing their well-being and progress as a direct result of the support provided. To ensure achievability, we will maintain the necessary resources, employ qualified staff, and establish a well-defined support structure. This objective is highly relevant to our organization's mission of aiding vulnerable populations and enhancing their stability and self-sufficiency through PSH programs. The goal is ongoing, reflecting our commitment to continuously provide vital supportive services to PSH clients to address their specific needs and improve their quality of life.