Torti Gallas + Partners’ Los Angeles office is proud to be working with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) on the conversion of existing, mostly vacant hotel, motel and multifamily properties into Permanent Supportive Housing. 

Funded by a $68 million award from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (CalHCD) as part of the Project Homekey program and $37 million from the City of Los Angeles, HACLA has partnered with the City to acquire 10 properties for conversion that together will house 536 people. This award is part of the state’s response to protecting Californians experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for serious illness and are impacted by COVID-19.

Torti Gallas was contracted by HACLA to work on 2 of these properties under a task order contract. The Howard Johnson on Reseda Boulevard and the Travelodge on Devonshire Street are both multi-story buildings with 75 units each. The building units will be converted for both single and family occupancy. As part of their Scope of Work, Torti Gallas will ensure that 10% of the units satisfy the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 4% satisfy the ADA’s Audio/Visual compliance standards and that the buildings comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

The existing motel rooms are being converted to studio units and one-bedroom units, without kitchens. Supportive services will be provided to all residents.  Torti Gallas is designing accessibility improvements to the units as well the exterior to include Path of Travel and Parking.  In addition to accessibility improvements Torti Gallas is designing several units specifically for those with vision and hearing impairments.  The project scope also includes structural upgrades, fire alarm, mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements.

Two of the ten properties are currently being used as part of Project Homekey’s predecessor program, Project Roomkey and will remain occupied for the near future. The remaining properties are vacant and expected to reopen as interim housing within 90 days of purchase.

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