Century Housing and Partners Celebrate The Moonstone Opening
Homekey Conversion Transforms Former Motel into Permanent Supportive Housing for South Bay Residents Experiencing Homelessness
REDONDO BEACH, CALIF. (Oct. 17, 2024) — Today, Century Housing marked the opening of The Moonstone, a community offering 20 studio apartments for residents who have experienced chronic homelessness. Century’s development affiliate, Century Affordable Development, Inc., transformed a blighted motel along Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach into permanent supportive housing with funds from the state’s Homekey program and Los Angeles County’s Homeless Initiative.
“It’s been an honor to help the City of Redondo Beach advance its efforts to reduce homelessness,” said Brian D’Andrea, Senior Vice President of Housing at Century Housing. “The Moonstone embodies the collective impact that’s possible when public, private, and nonprofit partners unite with a shared mission, creating housing solutions that change lives and strengthen communities.”
Jason Newton, a resident at The Moonstone, shared his experience: “I can’t explain the relief that’s felt going to the freedom of your own home. Because of the people and programs at The Moonstone, I’m able to thrive. While currently employed, I’m also a full-time student. When done right, the Homekey program works miracles—it’s all-inclusionary, helping to support people of all backgrounds.”
The opening of The Moonstone establishes a continuum of housing within Redondo Beach—from the Redondo Beach Pallet Shelter and Homeless Court to the permanent homes now available at The Moonstone. Many current residents transitioned to The Moonstone after temporarily staying at the Pallet Shelter.
“The Moonstone fills a crucial gap in our efforts to help unhoused Redondo Beach residents escape homelessness,” said Michael Webb, City Attorney with the City of Redondo Beach. “By building this necessary permanent supportive housing, Century Housing and the County of Los Angeles, with support from the State, have provided a needed place to live for those who are ready to move on from transitional housing. The partnership between Century Housing and the Redondo Beach Housing Authority ensures that it is our unhoused Redondo Beach residents who directly benefit from this housing.”
“It has been tremendously fulfilling to bring this transformative project to life in collaboration with both the City of Redondo Beach and Century Housing,” said Cheri Todoroff, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative. “By working together, we ensured The Moonstone received the crucial funding and partnerships to see it through to completion, delivering lasting benefits to the South Bay community.”
Renovations to the former motel began in summer 2023. Century and Los Angeles County partnered to successfully apply for Homekey funding through the California Department of Housing and Community Development in 2022. The Homekey program enables the conversion of commercial properties and other existing buildings into permanent or interim housing for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“The intensive case management planned for all residents at The Moonstone is critical to helping the lowest-income, chronically homeless Californians maintain housing stability and translate that stability into other areas of their lives,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing & Community Development, which administers Homekey. “Through voter approval of Proposition 1, our team now has the opportunity to expand this model across the state, helping individuals and communities thrive.”
“I applaud Century Housing and the City of Redondo Beach for partnering with the County, and the State’s Homekey program, to renovate 20 units of permanent supportive housing,” said Holly J. Mitchell, Supervisor, 2nd District, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “Redondo Beach is a great example of how cities can work alongside the County in effectively solving our homelessness and housing crisis. We will continue to do what we know works and that is building more affordable housing and providing the necessary services that bring people in and keep them housed.”
Century offers on-site property management alongside comprehensive case management services through its Century Oasis Residential Services team, ensuring that residents receive the support they need to maintain housing stability and work toward long-term goals.
“Throughout the development process, Century and our partners worked through complex challenges together, always focused on creating a space where residents can flourish,” said Daniel B. Lopez, President & CEO of Century Housing. “The Moonstone exemplifies how collaboration can create not just housing, but a community where residents feel supported and equipped to reclaim their futures.”
About Century Housing
Century Housing is committed to a single cause: affordable housing. For nearly 30 years, Century has financed, built, and operated exceptional affordable housing throughout California. Since its origins as a state agency, Century has invested more than $2.8 billion to create and preserve 58,000+ homes; developed more than 2,200 Century-owned affordable homes; and served and housed nearly 4,000 people in its properties. Century’s efforts have spurred the creation of thousands of construction jobs every year.
