A motel in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood is slated to be converted to housing for homeless people thanks in part to a $7.1 million state grant, city officials announced Monday.
The California Homekey money is intended to help buy and rehab the Maya Motel at 4715 Telegraph Ave., in the heart of one of the city’s thriving commercial districts.
The motel will be converted into 23 studio apartments with kitchenettes, cooktops, refrigerators, private bathrooms and beds, according to city officials. Work is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and wrap up by the fall or winter of that same year.
“The Maya project demonstrates what Oakland can accomplish when we combine smart policy with decisive action. Every one of these 23 units represents a person who will have stability, dignity, and the support they need to rebuild,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.
In addition to the state money, the project will benefit from $8.7 million from the city’s Rapid Response Homeless Housing program and $1.8 million from Alameda County’s Department of Behavioral Health.
Since 2020, the city has received $105.5 million in Homekey grants for 10 projects that together include 490 “deeply affordable” units for homeless people, according to city officials.
The city’s Maya Motel project is being done in partnership with Danco Communities, which will develop and own the property, while Operation Dignity will serve as the property manager and service provider, connecting residents to substance abuse services, peer support activities, physical and mental health services and education and employment services.
The city of Oakland and Danco applied for the funds together and both are considered “joint awardees,” with Oakland providing financial oversight and grant compliance and Danco named as property owner and developer, according to city officials.
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