KQED's Forum Project Homekey Is CA’s Ambitious Plan to House Homeless People. Is it Working?
May 12, 2026
Tamika Moss, California housing official and former nonprofit CEO, explains Homekey’s emergency origins and accountability changes. Ryan Finnegan, UC Berkeley homelessness researcher, analyzes Homekey’s place among housing tools. Marisa Kendall, CalMatters reporter, reveals mixed results from her investigation. They discuss speed versus oversight, which projects succeeded or failed, funding for services, and lessons for future housing efforts.
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Homekey's Rapid Pivot Saved Lives
- Homekey converted pandemic-era interim shelter into permanent homes quickly, creating over 12,000 units and housing tens of thousands during peak crisis.
- Tamika Moss emphasized speed and transition from Roomkey to Homekey as lifesaving innovation during COVID emergency.
Speed Tradeoffs Created Oversight Gaps
- Removing typical affordable-housing guardrails enabled much faster delivery but also removed layers of oversight that catch budgeting and construction risks.
- Marisa Kendall found projects underbudgeted or run by inexperienced developers often stalled or ballooned in cost.
Add External Funders To Improve Oversight
- Require stronger oversight and layered funders to provide accountability, not just speed.
- Marisa recommends reintroducing funder checks like lenders or tax-credit investors to flag budget and timeline issues early.