Torrance council opposes Homekey Plus plan for 3525 Torrance Boulevard, urges county to pull location

Torrance City Council members voted unanimously Friday to send a formal message to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors opposing the selection of 3525 Torrance Boulevard as a Homekey Plus site and requesting the county remove that location from its pending state funding application.

The decision followed a two-hour special meeting at which city staff, county representatives, the proposed project operator and about three dozen residents spoke on the county’s plan to convert the Extended Stay America property into 20 permanent supportive-housing units under Project Homekey. City Manager Adam Chaparian opened the item by saying staff supports addressing homelessness but had identified concerns about concentration, proximity to Del Amo Fashion Center and potential strains on local police and emergency services. “Staff has identified several concerns related to this project for your consideration,” Chaparian said.

Why it matters: Council members and dozens of residents raised worries about site selection, rushed notice and local impacts near schools, senior housing and businesses in Torrance’s commercial core. Supporters of the proposal, including county and nonprofit representatives, said the conversion would create permanent rental housing with leases, on-site supportive services and 24-hour security, and that a local-preference screening option exists if the city partners on operating subsidies.

County and project representatives responded to questions. Ben Rosen of the Weingart Center characterized the plan as “permanent rental housing” rather than a shelter and said units would have leases, an on-site manager and supportive services. Ivan Sulik, representing Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, said the county intends to house people from Torrance and that the county’s Harbor Interfaith shelter average stay is about 314 days while people wait for permanent housing.

Public comment split sharply. Business owners and neighborhood residents described safety, property-value and traffic concerns if the conversion proceeds in the heart of Torrance’s financial district. Dennis Patel, who identified himself as an owner of the Best Western at 3531 Torrance Boulevard, said the area “is the heartbeat of Torrance” and warned of “serious financial impact.” Several speakers pointed to schools, churches and senior living adjacent to the site and asked for more time and information about screening, security and the county’s commitment to services.

Other speakers urged the council to support the project as a needed piece of the region’s homelessness response. Lila Umura, a 22-year Torrance resident, said the city should partner with the county to make sure Torrance residents get priority. A parent who lives a few blocks from the site said that despite concerns she supports using the funds to create housing because “these people are human beings.”

Council members criticized the timing and notice. Several called the county’s placement of the item on the Board of Supervisors agenda the week following a long holiday weekend “short notice” and said it deprived the city and residents of meaningful input. Council members repeatedly asked county staff if the site could be pulled from Tuesday’s board agenda; county staff said they would need to consult Supervisor Hahn’s office and that the county’s action on Tuesday would be a request to submit an application to the state, not an immediate construction start.

Motion and outcome: Councilwoman Kalani made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Lewis, directing staff to send a strong message opposing the Torrance location, requesting that the county remove the site from the county’s Homekey Plus application if possible, and stating that the city should not assume financial operational responsibilities for the project if the application proceeds. The council voted unanimously to carry the motion.

Next steps and city action: City staff said they will prepare and submit a formal letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors before the Tuesday hearing and will use city communications channels to tell residents how to submit comments. County staff said there is still time for community input before any state award and that the Homekey process permits local-preference options for screening if a city partners on operating subsidies.

Details and context: The county’s proposal would convert an Extended Stay America into permanent units under Homekey Plus, a state-funded initiative that often targets hotels because rooms already include kitchens, reducing renovation costs. City staff noted Torrance’s own outreach program has housed 84 individuals and reached more than 1,100 people over five years. Council members reiterated support for finding housing solutions but emphasized concern about local control of site selection, screening processes, impacts on public safety and the adequacy of wraparound services.

The council adjourned after voting to oppose the site selection and urging the county to delay or remove the location from its application so parties can negotiate alternatives and clarify operational and financial responsibilities.