A motel turned short-term shelter on Fresno’s Parkway Drive will be converted to housing that aims to combine long-term affordability with support services for people at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The city was awarded $32 million in state funds for the project at Valley Inn, 933 N Parkway Drive, known as Sage Commons, through the Homekey+ program. The funds support the development of permanent supportive housing across California.

It’s one of many initiatives to revitalize the corridor that has historically been a hotspot for drugs, human trafficking and prostitution, commonly referred to as “Motel Drive.” Many of the area’s motels were converted into shelters by the city with COVID-era funding, under the premise that they’d later be turned into permanent affordable housing.

Motel row along Parkway Drive in Fresno between Belmont and Olive avenues, Jan. 14, 2020. Motel row along Parkway Drive in Fresno between Belmont and Olive avenues, Jan. 14, 2020. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com

“Projects like this one are helping expand affordable housing in our city, but more importantly are preventing displacement by giving people an opportunity to prosper in their own community,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said.

The city plans to partner with Parkway Prime LLC to convert 106 interim housing units into 84 apartments, the city announced in a statement last week. Nine of the units will be reserved for veterans.

A 2020 systematic review of 26 studies shows that permanent supportive housing programs decreased homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%, compared to short-term, transitional programs.

The state funds will be used to expand the motel’s existing footprint by adding square footage. The project will include an updated on-site laundry facility, community space and meeting rooms for case management services, according to the city.

Each unit will be equipped with kitchenettes and updated with modern flooring, lighting, and bathroom fixtures, the city said.

The Valley Inn Motel, center, located on Parkway Drive near Highway 99 and Roeding Park in Fresno, will be converted from a shelter to permanent supportive housing. The City of Fresno has been awarded $32 million for the project. The funding will come from the State of California's Homekey+ Program. The Valley Inn Motel, center, located on Parkway Drive near Highway 99 and Roeding Park in Fresno, will be converted from a shelter to permanent supportive housing. The City of Fresno has been awarded $32 million for the project. The funding will come from the State of California’s Homekey+ Program. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com The Valley Inn Motel, located on Parkway Drive near Highway 99 and Roeding Park in Fresno, will be converted from a shelter to permanent supportive housing. The City of Fresno has been awarded $32 million for the project. The funding will come from the State of California's Homekey+ Program. The Valley Inn Motel, located on Parkway Drive near Highway 99 and Roeding Park in Fresno, will be converted from a shelter to permanent supportive housing. The City of Fresno has been awarded $32 million for the project. The funding will come from the State of California’s Homekey+ Program. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
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