Norwalk Housing Authority approves foster-youth vouchers and 54 project-based units at Homekey site

Norwalk Housing Authority commissioners on Aug. 19 adopted two measures to expand housing options for people exiting foster care and to place long-term rent assistance at a recently converted Homekey site.

The Housing Authority approved Resolution NHA-173 to accept an FYI (Foster Youth to Independence) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and amend the fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget to reflect $83,684 in funding for five vouchers and associated administrative fees.

The FYI program provides rental assistance for people aged 18 to 24 who have left or are imminently leaving foster care and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. According to Bethany Cardenas, Housing Authority staff, the Department of Children and Family Services executed an agreement on June 3, 2025, to provide referrals and case management; the Housing Authority applied for the FYI vouchers in July and received approval and funding on July 29, 2025.

“The FYI voucher offers financial support for three to five years, helping young adults achieve stability and independence,” Bethany Cardenas said. Cardenas recommended adopting the resolution and amending the FY 2025–26 operating budget.

The commission then adopted Resolution NHA-174 to authorize use of 54 Section 8 project-based vouchers (PBVs) at the Homekey site at 10646 Rosecrans Avenue and to authorize execution of a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with Weingart 10646 LLC. Cardenas said the property—a former Motel 6 converted to permanent supportive housing under Project Homekey—includes 54 units, an on-site manager, supportive services provided by Weingart, a security guard and a camera system.

Staff described eligibility and referral procedures: eligible unsheltered individuals are referred by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and both the Housing Authority and Weingart will select applicants for units. Cardenas said the project’s monthly payment standard is $1,856; tenants pay 30% of their income toward rent and the voucher covers the remainder.

Vice Chair Perez asked when residents might move in. Cardenas said staff hoped to begin intake and move-ins as early as the week following council approval, pending inspections and execution of the HAP contract. She gave numbers for prospective applicants that were reported during the meeting—initially stating 36 people on a waiting list and 24 people at the building awaiting approval, and later providing a different tally (“25 on the list; I believe 7 to 10” were currently pending)—and staff noted they would begin background checks and intake after contract execution.

The commission approved both resolutions by roll call. The Housing Authority noted that PBVs do not create a general-fund impact because the vouchers and administrative fees are funded by HUD; staff said the actions align with the NHA five‑year plan and strategic goals to increase permanent supportive housing and assist residents in greatest need.

Actions taken at the meeting will allow the Housing Authority to place five FYI vouchers for qualifying foster youth and attach 54 PBVs to the Rosecrans Homekey site, enabling the property to house between 54 and, by some counts of household size, 108 individuals with supportive services in place.

The Housing Authority presentation and votes concluded without public speaker cards on the items.