The City Council is seeking $35 million from the state to convert a motel near UC Riverside that would provide affordable and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The proposed project — University Terrace Homes to replace the Quality Inn at 1590 University Ave. — would create 94 units for individuals earning 30% of the area median income, which is currently $21,500 for a single-person household, and 20 units for residents earning 50% of AMI, or $35,900, according to a city staff report. Of the total 114 studio apartments, 18 would be reserved for individuals with mobility disabilities.
City officials requested the funding from the state’s Homekey+ program. California voters approved Proposition 1 in March 2024, which provides $2.2 billion for Homekey+.
The council also allocated about $9 million to the Riverside Housing Development Corp., which would acquire, convert and operate the site. The RHDC manages 94 affordable units nearby and has deep roots in the Eastside neighborhood, officials said.
“This is a smart and compassionate investment in the community,” Councilwoman Clarissa Cervantes, who represents Ward 2 where the project is located, said in a statement. “Safe, stable housing is foundational to public health, neighborhood safety and opportunity. Projects like these ensure that Riverside leads with both heart and strategy.”
The proposed motel conversion calls for self-contained apartments with kitchens, bathrooms and living areas, a gated property with 24-hour security, on-site case management and supportive services for residents with behavioral and mental health needs. The facility’s staff would include a social service coordinator, five case managers, maintenance personnel and a full-time property manager who would live in the apartment complex.
If funding comes through, the project would undergo further planning and officials would receive community input as it moves forward.
“With a project of this magnitude and impact, we must be thoughtful and cautious,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a statement. “The success of housing initiatives like this one hinges on the details, so we will move forward with care and precision, if funded, to ensure the project is a good fit for the neighborhood and works for everyone.”
More than 300 people are on Riverside’s waiting list for permanent supportive housing, including more than 100 unhoused seniors age 55 and older, according to the city.
The Quality Inn site has been on the market since 2023, officials said. During a 15-month span, the property generated 97 calls for police service, ranging from grand theft auto to aggravated assault. The specific 15-month time frame was unclear.
The city must submit its Homekey+ application by the end of May. Results could be announced as early as June, officials said.
