Sunnyside 5 Student Housing

Housing and Homelessness

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

We fully understand the issue we are seeking to address because we are located in the heart of the community that we are striving to uplift and have years of experience serving our community. South LA has the highest "hardship" levels in LA County, and residents experience disproportionately high unemployment, poverty, high school dropout, and poor health outcomes compared to the rest of LA County. We are located in the Westmont area of South LA, also referred to as "Death Alley" because it has the highest homicide rate in LA County. Our area is a "high intensity drug trafficking area", contributing to youth involvement with drugs/gangs, and has a high rate of foster care entry due to parental drug use and illegal activity. A lack of family stability, role models, and mentors contributes to gaps in personal and social development and can leave youth feeling hopeless. South LA has a high concentration of "disconnected" youth - those neither in school nor working during ages 16-24.

Sunnyside 5, will strive to end the cycle of housing insecurity and homelessness for 14 students who are enrolled in college. These students will have a stronger chance to realize their goals. Vetted postsecondary students will receive low-cost supportive transitional housing and services for a period of 1 to 2 years or until the student is ready to transition into more permanent housing. We provide transitional housing for young adults ages 18-30 who are experiencing homelessness and who are currently enrolled in college or pursuing a trade.?Students and those pursuing a trade will find it far more difficult to succeed in their chosen career or educational path if they are simultaneously struggling to overcome the challenges of experiencing homelessness. Sunnyside 5 provides mental health resources, three meals a day, and housing. The program incorporates mentorship and case management by staff that is community based and trained in social-emotional development. Residents will build life skills, confidence, and a positive life plan as they work toward their career or educational goals, and their transition to permanent housing. We are bringing tangible resources and a fresh perspective to combat homelessness and cyclical poverty among young adults in South LA. Our program will provide much-needed housing for unhoused young adults and serve as a springboard for longer-term advancement and personal transformation.

We will be apart of the solution for ending the homeless crisis in our area. Sunnyside 5 will have a positive impact for our students who will be off the streets and living in our safe housing community. Students will receive access to food, educational resources, mental health services, job skills and training. The positive impact of Sunnyside 5 will support both our student residents and community members by creating a rich supportive community which will lead to success in college, to job opportunities and to tools that are needed to live a fruitful life. Creating an opportunity to flourish and to spur economic growth that will benefit the underserved members of LA County. Our community members will be able to be served by their own community who understands them, and their needs. We will offer not only housing but a full person development approach, and will aide in ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness in our area.

Our project is currently enrolling our first students for housing, we will be measuring success by the following: 1. 14 students will receive case management and personal development plans. 2. 80-100% of participants will remain housed in program for up to two years and participate in independent living workshops to learn and develop skills to create pathways for independent living 3. 100% of participants will obtain employment and/or enroll in postsecondary education 4. 100% of program participants will engage in financial literacy support workshops 5. 80% of program participants will engage in at least 3 professional development workshops resulting in development of a resume and cover letter 6. 100% of program participants will engage in trauma-informed clinical services and workshops to support mental health needs