Homeless coalition completes purchase of three South Lake Tahoe motels; move-ins begin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Governor Newsom announced the state would be giving the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) almost $10 million, the local nonprofit quickly bought three motels to meet its goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The September announcement of the Project Homekey grant came with an end-of-the-year deadline so California communities would get the ball rolling on sheltering the chronic homeless.

TCH is using the three motels for different homeless programs they offer.

At the beginning of the pandemic when a Warm Room couldn't safely be offered, Project RoomKey started to put the more compromised population into motel rooms. Many stayed in a converted space at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center but seniors and the disabled were moved into the motel rooms. At this time, 24 housing compromised people are in this program which is functioning as the Warm Room this winter in South Lake Tahoe. More have been served with Project RoomKey than normally were when there was a Warm Room. Motel rooms provide a safer space to sleep during COVID with reduced infection rates.

Project Homekey has put four seniors and disabled people in permanent housing to date. They pay rent according to their income level. Those using this program need a signed lease to qualify for home care support or get surgeries, so living in these units gives them the access to health care that is needed. TCH is looking to place several more into this program shortly.

Seven people have been placed in stabilization units. This population has no income or no identification and need a place to live as the red tape is sorted out and they can get the items needed to move onto another program.

There are also medical discharged rooms where those needing medical services have no place to go when discharged, as required. According to THC, Barton Hospital has noticed improvement with those tending to use the hospital as a shelter. These "frequent flyers" take up needed hospital beds and now go into the newly acquired motel rooms. To date, 14 people have used this program and there are currently four people housed that were recently discharged from the hospital.

One of the motels purchased by TCH, the El Nido on Lake Tahoe Boulevard, had people paying by the month to live there but most do not qualify for any of the homeless coalition's programs due to a higher income than required. There was controversy just before Christmas when some of those residents said they received eviction notices. TCH said these were notices of relocation and they are working to help them find housing but the process will take awhile. TCH is looking for comparable units and will provide moving costs and supportive services.

TCH is in the process of moving their office above Christmas Cheer to the "Y" at 1137 Emerald Bay Rd., South Lake Tahoe.

There are a few ways the community can assist with any of these programs.

Volunteers can contribute skills, time, and support, including meal prep and delivery for medically fragile clients, winter dog walking for homebound clients, gift baskets, transportation to medical appointments, phone calls to prevent loneliness among isolated seniors, and many other helpful activities.

Donations are needed for those that aren't housed at this time, items for starting up the units for those who are housed. Lists can be found on the Tahoe Coalition's Facebook page, website, email them at info@tahoehomeless.org or call 530.600.2822. There is also "wish list" for Project HomeKey on Amazon - https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/55Z10LVK2HXP.