El Monte city officials approved a funding agreement with Los Angeles County that directs more than half a million dollars toward renovating the city’s Homekey motel site and supporting emergency motel assistance, continuing the city’s response to homelessness.
At its Dec. 10 meeting, the El Monte City Council unanimously approved a $554,104 agreement using Los Angeles County Local Solutions Funds. The action authorizes city staff to accept and allocate the funding during the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
Of the total amount, $530,000 is designated for renovations at the city’s Homekey motel site, known as the M Motel. The remaining $24,104 will support emergency motel assistance for residents experiencing housing crises.
City Manager Authority Approved
The council also authorized the City Manager, or a designee, to execute the agreement and make conforming administrative changes as needed. The approval followed a staff recommendation and was adopted without discussion.
The vote was 6–0, with Mayor Jessica Ancona absent from the meeting. No public comments were recorded on the agenda item. The funding comes from Los Angeles County’s Local Solutions Funds program, which supports cities in addressing homelessness through flexible, locally driven strategies.
El Monte has increasingly relied on county partnerships to expand interim housing options and short-term shelter access.
Homekey Motel Renovation Planned
Homekey is a statewide program that helps local governments convert existing properties, including motels, into interim or permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. El Monte’s Homekey project focuses on improving an existing motel facility to support housing placements and related services.
While specific renovation details were not outlined in the council agenda, improvements are expected to meet Homekey program standards and county funding requirements. Similar projects across Los Angeles County have included room upgrades, safety improvements, accessibility modifications, and space for on-site services.
Emergency motel assistance funds included in the agreement will allow the city to provide short-term lodging for individuals or families facing immediate housing emergencies. These placements are typically used during extreme weather, sudden displacement, or other urgent situations.
Continued Focus on Housing Stability
The agreement follows a series of council actions over the past year aimed at housing stability and homelessness response. El Monte has worked with county agencies to secure funding, manage interim housing sites, and coordinate services for unsheltered residents.
City officials have previously cited the need for flexible shelter options as housing costs remain high and emergency resources stay limited. The combination of motel renovations and emergency assistance is intended to increase short-term capacity while supporting longer-term housing transitions.
More information on the Homekey program is available through Los Angeles County’s homelessness initiatives at https://homeless.lacounty.gov.
