Roomkey / Homekey

California launched Project Roomkey as an immediate emergency response to the pandemic, while Project Homekey was created a few months later as a long-term solution.

• Project Roomkey (Launched March 2020): This program started first to protect vulnerable unhoused people from COVID-19. It focused on temporary hotel and motel leases.
• Project Homekey (Launched July 2020): This program started second, building on the lessons of Roomkey. It shifted the focus from temporary renting to permanently buying properties for long-term housing.