EL MONTE — El Monte Emergency Lodging will give families and individuals facing homelessness more options for temporary shelter. The City Council approved agreements July 22 with two hotels to provide rooms when urgent housing needs arise.
The agreements cover Le Blanc Inn & Suites in El Monte and Pomona Inn in Pomona. Both hotels will provide temporary lodging on an as-needed basis.
The city will pay for stays using Local Solutions Funding received through Measure A. Los Angeles County allocated El Monte $554,104 from the fund for fiscal year 2025-26.
Measure A, approved by county voters in 2024, provides funding for homelessness services, prevention and housing programs. More information about the funding is available through the Los Angeles County Measure A Resource Hub.
City staff said emergency lodging requests often occur after business hours, on weekends and during holidays. Service providers may have limited availability during those periods.
Two Hotels Provide Added Flexibility
El Monte issued a request for proposals June 15 seeking providers for temporary emergency lodging. The city received responsive proposals from Le Blanc Inn & Suites, 11652 Garvey Ave., and Pomona Inn, 929 W. Holt Ave.
Staff recommended agreements with both providers. Using two locations gives the city more options when rooms are unavailable. Staff can also consider household size, accessibility needs and other circumstances when making placements.
The agreements do not guarantee either hotel a minimum or maximum number of room nights.
Le Blanc proposed nightly rates of $110 for a king room and $125 for a two-queen room. Kitchenette rooms cost $140 per night. Weekly rates range from $770 to $980.
Pomona Inn proposed $110 nightly for a king room and $125 for a two-queen room. Weekly rates are $770 and $875, respectively.
Both providers proposed a $15 nightly pet fee. Le Blanc also offered rollaway beds for $15 per night.
El Monte Emergency Lodging Supports Housing
The El Monte Emergency Lodging program is designed as a temporary response, not permanent housing.
The city’s Housing Division will coordinate referrals. Placements will depend on eligibility, available funding, room availability, household size and accessibility needs.
Residents can find information about city housing programs through the El Monte Housing Division.
Once placed, participants are expected to work with service providers toward permanent housing. Services can include housing navigation and other supportive resources.
Both hotels reported experience working with government agencies or nonprofit organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.
The program’s total cost will depend on how often rooms are used. Council documents listed the final cost as undetermined, with funding already budgeted.
For El Monte residents facing a sudden housing crisis, the agreements give city staff another option when immediate shelter is needed. The temporary rooms can provide families and individuals a safe place to stay while they pursue longer-term housing.
