By Angelica C. Gualpa
People experiencing chronic homelessness in West Hollywood will soon have a short-stay motel where they can get a private room, board, and wraparound services to get their lives back on track.
The City of Hollywood, in partnership with Ascencia, a nonprofit homeless services provider, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house on Tuesday, September 30, at the newly completed Holloway Interim Housing Program site, located at the former Holloway Motel, 8464 Holloway Drive.
“In West Hollywood, our community is grounded in compassion, care, and action and the Holloway Interim Housing Program reflects the very best of our values,” said West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers. “By transforming the former Holloway Motel, we are creating not only safe and supportive interim housing, but also a place where people experiencing homelessness can find services, stability, and hope as they take their next steps toward permanent housing.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony caps a project that began in June 2022, when West Hollywood received a $6-million Homekey grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Following this award, the West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the former Holloway Motel, which was subsequently renovated and is now opening as the Holloway Interim Housing Program.
The program is supported through a combination of State and County resources with additional funds from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
After opening next month, the program will provide individuals experiencing homelessness with a safe and supportive place to stay for up to 90 days. It includes 20 private rooms, each with a bed, locker, bathroom, three daily meals, computer access, and additional resources. The program is designed for individuals who are:
- Chronically homeless in the City of West Hollywood
- Living with a diagnosed disability (such as a mental health condition, substance use disorder, or physical disability)
- Able to manage their own daily living needs
Residents of Holloway will have access to the following services:
- 24/7 onsite staff and security
- Comprehensive case management
- Mental health and wellness services and referrals
- Employment and housing placement support
- Financial literacy classes
- LGBTQ+ affirming and veterans’ services
- Recovery and fair housing support for people with disabilities
The Holloway Interim Housing Program is not a drop-in facility. Admission is by referral only. Individuals seeking admission—or agencies making referrals for clients—must meet eligibility requirements and complete an intake process.
“We’re deeply grateful to our partners at Ascencia, whose expertise and dedication make this work possible. I warmly invite community members to join us at the open house to see firsthand how the City of West Hollywood is shaping solutions,” said Byers.
To request a welfare check, outreach, or connection to services for a community member experiencing homelessness, call the West Hollywood Homeless Concern Line at (323) 848-6590, which is answered live 24/7. For non-emergency situations requiring law enforcement, call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850.
Additional information about the Holloway Interim Housing Program can be found at www.weho.org/holloway. Further information about the City’s Homeless Initiative can be found at www.weho.org/homeless.
For more information, contact the City of West Hollywood’s Human Services Division at (323) 848-6510. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.
