Together for LA: Unhoused Empowerment Program

Housing and Homelessness

County of Los Angeles

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

The issue is the housing crisis in Los Angeles, where a significant portion of the population experiences homelessness or housing insecurity. This crisis is largely driven by a lack of affordable housing, systemic barriers, and inadequate housing policies. Too often, initiatives to address this crisis exclude the most affected individuals - the unhoused population - from contributing their unique insights to the solution. There's a dire need for more inclusive housing policy-making that considers the lived experiences of the unhoused. By empowering them to participate in policy development and advocacy, we can ensure policies are more reflective of their actual needs and challenges. Additionally, a pressing problem is the lack of knowledge among the unhoused about their rights and available resources. This program aims to address these interconnected issues by fostering agency, dignity, and self-determination among the unhoused while striving for systemic changes in housing policy.

The grant will support the "Together for LA: Unhoused Empowerment Program," an initiative designed to tackle Los Angeles' housing crisis through a unique, inclusive approach. Our project champions the involvement of the unhoused population in the housing policy-making process, allowing us to address their needs more effectively. The program is driven by a partnership with Abundant Housing LA and Inner City Law Center. PATH has expressed interest in cooperating with this effort in order to support Together for LA's Outreach and providing tools for outreach to unhoused individuals. Our key activities include a comprehensive outreach program to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness, linking them to crucial services and housing assistance, and educating them about these opportunities. We will convene the Together for LA Advisory Council, comprised of individuals who have experienced homelessness, to advise on housing advocacy efforts. We aim to engage over 1,000 individuals in housing advocacy opportunities, each guided by the Advisory Council's insights and recommendations. The grant will cover outreach, education, and advocacy efforts, the establishment of the advisory council, and the creation of a joint report on the project's outcomes. With your support, we can empower the unhoused, fostering a paradigm shift in housing policy development.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will witness a significant transformation in its housing landscape. Unhoused individuals will find suitable housing solutions, helping to address homelessness rates. Housing policy will be more inclusive, shaped directly by those most affected by housing insecurities, leading to policies that are more effective, comprehensive, and reflective of the real-world challenges faced by the unhoused population. The city will benefit from a new model of equity and inclusion in community outreach, setting a precedent for other initiatives. A more affordable Los Angeles will emerge, driven by the advocacy efforts of the Together for LA Advisory Council, which will influence key policy changes. Los Angeles will move towards a reality where everyone, regardless of income or circumstance, has access to safe, secure, and affordable housing. A city that truly embodies the concept of 'home' for all its residents.

Quantitatively, we aim to reach over 1,000 unhoused individuals through outreach and connect them with housing and service providers like PATH, which we'll track through our outreach efforts. Additionally, we will measure the number of individuals we connect to essential services, the number of people we educate about housing policy issues, and the number of individuals engaged in advocacy opportunities. Qualitatively, we'll seek feedback from the people we serve and use it to evaluate the impact of our program on their lives. We'll gauge the effectiveness of our advocacy through policy changes influenced and track the evolution of housing affordability in Los Angeles. We'll also measure the growth of the Together for LA Advisory Council's influence on housing policy, and assess the reach and impact of our joint report. Ultimately, success will be a Los Angeles where housing becomes more affordable and accessible, and where unhoused individuals have an active role in policy-making.

Abundant Housing LA (AHLA) will spearhead efforts to organize, train, empower, and connect individuals under the initiative. They will also take the lead in publicizing the project's joint report, spreading awareness about the project's process, achievements, challenges, and policy recommendations. Inner City Law Center, with its expertise in legal advisory and tenant advocacy, will play a pivotal role in supporting the Together for LA participants. They will provide legal guidance and advocacy support, as well as infuse crucial policy information to enlighten the participants about their rights, obligations, and resources. PATH has expressed interest in cooperating with this effort in order to support Together for LA's Outreach and providing tools for outreach to unhoused individuals.