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2024 Grants Challenge

APCC's FamilySource Homeless Prevention Program (HPP)

APCC's FamilySource Homeless Prevention Program provides a continuum of services targeting families at imminent risk of homelessness. Services include wraparound case management; temporary financial assistance (up to $3,500 per family for rental arrears, relocation security deposits, legal fees, etc.); landlord/tenant mediation; financial coaching; and more. Our innovative approach is the TwoGeneration model, which moves families out of poverty by focusing on homelessness prevention, increased family income and youth academic achievement.

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What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?

Affordable housing and homelessness

In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?

APCC serves South Los Angeles with a focus on the Vernon-Central neighborhood (zip code 90011). The most pressing needs are education, economic mobility and housing stability. 55.2% of adults age 25+ have less than a high school diploma (compared to 10.7% nationwide). 27.5% of families have income below poverty and median family income is $47,126 (compared to 12.8% and $85,806 nationwide). In 2019, the homeless count rose by an astronomical 38% in our community (City of Los Angeles Council District 9). 75,518 people experienced homelessness in Los Angeles County in 2023, which is the 2nd largest homeless population in the US (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority). All renter protections implemented by the City of L.A. during COVID-19 expired effective February 1, 2024, causing tenants in renter-households to be at renewed risk of housing instability brought on by housing unaffordability – an issue that has long plagued renters in Los Angeles (National Low Income Housing Coalition).

Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.

APCC's FamilySource Homeless Prevention Program provides a continuum of services targeting families at imminent risk of homelessness. Services facilitated by our Housing Stability Advisor include: wraparound case management; temporary financial assistance (up to $3,500 per family for rental arrears, relocation security deposits, legal fees, etc.); landlord/tenant mediation (i.e. leases, home visits, unit inspections regarding habitability standards); financial coaching; affordable housing, fair housing & rent stabilization workshops; assistance with affordable housing application checklists (i.e. valid picture ID, pay stubs, bank statement); coordination of short-term financial assistance, relocation & housing navigation services; & connections to resources of 70+ housing-related partners (i.e. City of LA & Coalition for Responsible Community Development). APCC will ensure outcomes such as preserving rent stabilized housing, obtaining safe shelter/alternative housing, obtaining & maintaining safe affordable housing for 90-180 days, maintaining agreements with landlords, reducing overcrowding. Our innovative approach is the TwoGeneration model, which moves families out of poverty by focusing on homelessness prevention, increased family income and youth academic achievement. Additional parent services include: immigration; employment; food distribution; & more. Youth services (7-17) include: after-school services; tutoring; college admissions & financial aid support; & more.

Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.

APCC will successfully assist a minimum of 150 unduplicated households (600 individuals) in LA County to achieve Housing Stability. Each household served will achieve one of the following indicators: Preserved Rent Stabilized Housing; Obtained Safe Temporary Shelter; Obtained Safe and Affordable Housing; Maintained Safe and Affordable Housing for 90 to 180 days; Obtained Safe Housing; Maintained Safe Housing; Avoided Eviction; Placed in Alternate Housing; Maintained Housing/ Reached negotiation with the landlord; Reduced Overcrowded Housing.
HPP clients will be co-enrolled in our FSC Financial Empowerment Program. APCC’s financial asset-building services will ensure FSC clients achieve outcomes such as opening savings/checking accounts, increasing savings, decreasing debt, reducing delinquent accounts, reducing debt-to-income ratio, decreasing rent-to-income ratio, achieving/maintaining basic needs for 90-180 days, improving credit scores, and potentially purchasing a home.

What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?

APCC monitors progress against key performance indicators across the Citywide network of FSCs using Bitfocus, the mandated electronic data system. Bitfocus tracks enrollments, demographics, needs assessment results, services provided, and outcomes. Staff record pre- and post-housing statuses for each family; employment and financial advancements; youth academic and income levels pre- and post-program. Academic progress is tracked via student report cards and STAR Reading/STAR Math assessments. APCC has exceeded performance goals year-over-year for its FamilySource Center. In the year ending June 2023, APCC provided FSC services to 2,789 low-income people (112% of the original goal of 2,500). Among parents, collective income was increased by $1,000,101 (400% of the goal of $250,000). 261 families were assisted with Emergency Rental Relief totaling $135,577 to prevent eviction and homelessness. 228 youth increased academic achievements (304% of the original goal of 75 youth).

Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?

Direct Impact: 600.0

Indirect Impact: 6,600.0