Dignity by Design

Housing and Homelessness

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

The City of Los Angeles (City) has long suffered a severe, ongoing, and ever-worsening homeless crisis. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) have faced a myriad of debilitating physical and psychological conditions, in addition to constant outbreaks such as typhus, hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis. Combined with a lack of basic necessities and insufficient public resources, the vast majority of PEH cannot reclaim their lives without external intervention. Concerningly, many PEH on Skid Row also experience co-occurring SUDs, SMIs, medical issues, frequent arrests, and repeat incarcerations. Due to their ongoing trauma, behavioral health conditions, and criminal records, PEH have extreme difficulty in obtaining permanent housing, employment, and upward mobility. The situation is such that for every 207 individuals who escape homelessness per day, another 227 new individuals take their place.

Los Angeles Mission's Dignity by Design Renovation Project is transforming the experience of the homeless and providing quality housing for men and women in recovery. This project removes the stigma of traditional shelter and focuses on stabilizing men and women by meeting their basic needs for food, housing, and stabilization. Next, we assist through quality case management, therapy, and education. Clients then matriculate into interim housing and finally settle into permanent supportive housing supported by career services and opportunities all while staying at Los Angeles Mission. We firmly believe that by taking a comprehensive approach that encompasses stabilization and housing, we can provide clients with a stable environment to recover, pursue life goals, and improve their overall health and well-being. As such, our proposed Dignity by Design is on the Frontlines of Los Angeles County program intended to be a robust continuum that is dignified by design and contributes to a systemic transformation of poverty alleviation in LA County. By providing clients with necessities—such as food, water, clothes, and a roof over their heads—while inviting their participation in a holistic treatment and rehabilitation process for the mind, body, and soul, we can facilitate sustainable, person-centered outcomes. We are prepared to focus our efforts on combating the effects of COVID-19 and lifting clients permanently out of chronic homelessness.

Los Angeles County will be different if our work is successful in the following ways: - 405 formerly homeless individuals will have access to stabilization housing and interim housing solutions in a safe, recovery driven environment. - 16,000 people a year have access to emergency services including food, shelter, counseling, referrals, hygiene - Reducing pan-handling by 40% on high traffic areas and providing referrals to services for those in need. - Weekly into neighborhoods and homeless encampments to provide access to services and poverty reduction services. - Safer streets and reduction in crime for Los Angeles residents through PEH (people experiencing homelessness) finding supportive services, therapy, job training, and housing.

We measure impact through the output of services that meet the direct and urgent needs of the poor. Next, we wrap around solutions to break the cycle of poverty and measure outcomes by the successful completion of our comprehensive recovery program, career services, and obtaining permanent housing. We then track success after 12 months, 24, months, and 36 months after completion of our program to ensure long term successful outcomes. Outputs: -Meals served -Beds provided -Clothing provided -Nights of shelter -Showers provided -Career services -Medical referrals Outcomes: -Successful completion of LAM recovery program -Successful completion of job training and career services -Permanent housing placements -Prevention of recidivism after 12, 24, 36 months.

LA CADA - provides onsite case magement for Los Angeles Mission clients. LA Christian Health Center - provides comprehensive health screenings and primary care services on-site for Los Angeles Mission clients.