Residents of Millbrae, California, have been at the forefront of protests for nearly two years against the San Mateo County government’s decision to convert the La Quinta hotel into a Homekey homeless shelter. Despite their ongoing efforts, the county remains steadfast in repurposing the 100-room hotel, igniting disappointment in the community. Many locals emphasize their commitment to continue the fight.

On October 3, around 100 protestors, predominantly from the Chinese community, gathered outside the La Quinta hotel, urging the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to reconsider and repeal the contract concerning the property. The Millbrae City Council previously reached out to the county board on August 27 to request a discussion about the hotel’s future, yet they have yet to see any response. This silence has only intensified local frustrations, prompting residents to initiate a signature campaign against the decision.

Community members are particularly concerned about the economic ramifications of losing the La Quinta hotel. They argue that the closure would result in an annual shortfall of $1.1 million in hotel tax revenue, which accounts for roughly 10% of the city’s total revenue. Such a loss could significantly impact essential services, including fire, transportation, and education. Residents contend that transforming the hotel into a shelter may create dire repercussions for the local economy and housing market.

Protesters assert that the majority of the homeless individuals expected to utilize the shelter come from larger cities like San Francisco and Oakland, raising concerns about Millbrae being unfairly burdened by problems created elsewhere.

Long-time residents express alarm over what they see as a violation of their constitutional rights, invoking State Law Section 34, which was enacted in 1950. This law stipulates that local voter approval is required for rental housing projects that receive government funding aimed at helping low-income residents.

Local resident Karen Lobos shared her frustrations, noting that Millbrae represents just 3% of the county’s population yet is being asked to accommodate 30% of the homeless population. She views this expectation as fundamentally inequitable. Additionally, she warns that the potential closure of La Quinta could have severe financial implications, resulting in the loss of critical retail space within the community.

One anonymous resident from the Chinese community highlighted that areas in Millbrae designated for commercial use have already been reassigned due to San Francisco International Airport expansions, leaving the small town—spanning just under 3.2 square miles—with less than 11% of its land available for business.

In light of these concerns, Millbrae officials have emphasized the necessity of collaborative action among cities to achieve the county’s goal of zero homelessness. They pointed out that Millbrae has made strides in addressing homelessness, allocating over half a million dollars to assist 200 individuals through various temporary and permanent housing initiatives. However, they maintain that the scope of the Homekey project must be tailored to meet local needs in order to prevent job losses and safeguard businesses and tax revenue.