Santa Barbara County granted $3.1 millon “Project Home Key” grant, plan to create housing in Lompoc

LOMPOC, Calif. – The County of Santa Barbara received a $3.1 million dollar grant to create new housing for the homeless in Lompoc.

The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County plans to convert an office space and clinic into housing for the homeless.

This is part of California's Project Room Key response to coronavirus.

The State of California Department of Housing is giving $3.1 million dollars to the County of Santa Barbara and the Housing Authority.

They plan  to develop 15 units by converting a County-owned office building located on B street in Lompoc.

This project was approved on Sept. 22, and the team started working on it immediately after that.

“We were able to speed that up, because this has been a behavioral wellness and they have a number of clients in the City of Lompoc,” said Director of Housing John Polanskey. “Many of them are experiencing homelessness, that is going to be our referring agency.”

The team working on the project has developed a strategy to reach underserved populations, which includes outreach in English, Spanish and Mixteco.

According to the County,  applicants who are approved should be fully moved in by mid-December.