LONG BEACH, Calif. — In the quiet halls of a former Holiday Inn, Brenda Johnson, a diabetic, found a temporary place to feel like home.

Last year, a neighboring fire destroyed her home and some of her belongings.

“This has been a lifesaver for me,” Johnson said.

Johnson has been staying at a Project Homekey site in Long Beach while searching for a permanent place to live. However, the site located at 1133 Atlantic Ave will soon close in February for renovations.

According to the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative, once renovations are complete, 133 units will be available for permanent supportive housing.

With the deadline approaching, Johnson is hoping to use her Section 8 voucher before then. But, she’s having a hard time finding somewhere to use it.

“I’m trying to find a place. That’s my biggest challenge, trying to find a place. Because everywhere I go they say they do not accept Section 8 or they don’t have an opening,” she said.

Recently, the city of LA reopened the area’s Section 8 voucher lottery. But without more properties willing to accept it, voucher holders like Blanca Duarte are left on their third and final voucher extension. She said it will be canceled if she can’t find somewhere to accept it by January.

“This is the last time. I don’t want to lose my voucher, Section 8. This is my opportunity to get my apartment. I don’t want to go and live in the street. I don’t want to continue to be homeless. I don’t want it. I’m scared,” she said.

Katina Holliday is the CEO of Holliday’s Helping Hands who manages the site. She said they’re down to about 60 clients from 135. She said the site has had a few last-minute extensions that have left her with minimal staff.

“The county, of course, is doing the best they can with the resources that are given,” Holliday said. “They are bringing in resources. They are doing things, they are trying to bring in more supportive housing. But, also, I want the people to know that own properties, that they give us another chance or give them a chance because there are some great people out here that need homes.”

Johnson’s just hoping her voucher will be a key to her next home, not a shelter.

“I just hope that I don’t get lost in the cracks. That’s what I’m seriously hoping, that I don’t get lost in the cracks. I hope I will be able to use my voucher.”

Until then, all she can do is wait and see if she’ll have a place to call home.

Here is the full statement from the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative:

“Like many of Los Angeles County’s other Homekey properties, the Holiday Inn Long Beach site was intended to provide safe, short-term stays for people who were unsheltered during the pandemic. The ultimate goal has always been to convert the hotels into apartments for people experiencing homelessness, complete with supportive services — and this is what the County received State funding to accomplish. The Holiday Inn Long Beach Homekey site has been serving as a shelter for nearly two years. In February, the County and its development partner, Linc Housing, will begin renovations to convert the hotel into 133 units of permanent supportive housing. To ensure safety during construction, the County will help the people currently at the hotel find another place to stay.”