Unlocking Unlimited Possibilities for LA’s Homeless

Affordable housing and homelessness

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Los Angeles County is currently home to the largest unsheltered homeless population of any county in the United States. More than 71,300 L.A. County residents were identified as homeless according to the 2023 Homeless Count. Sadly, the percentage of the homeless population identified as chronically homeless, meaning they have been without stable housing for at least a year and have at least one disabling health condition, has increased to 45% or 31,991 of those identified by the homeless count.
According to Healthcare for the Homelessness, “People experiencing homelessness are generally sicker than their housed counterparts and more prone to death. The life expectancy of a person experiencing homelessness is just 48 years.” According to Harvard Health, life expectancy in the United States has not been that low since 1900. We cannot allow this cycle of poverty and homelessness to continue, depriving people of a long and healthy life.

The UP Program is dedicated to combating homelessness by empowering individuals to overcome adversity and discover their purpose. Central to its mission is a structured journey facilitated by professional life coaches who are developing curriculum, with input from our homeless residents, using a funnel model. Residents are guided through progressive stages of awareness, attraction, assessment, acceptance, and absorption.
In absorption, participants engage in a curriculum designed for personal growth:
● Self-help book reading assignments.
● Development of basic literacy, writing, and computer skills.
● Engaging activities, educational field trips and volunteerism.
● Improving physical health through tailored diets, gym memberships, and Fitbits for health monitoring.
As participants advance, they develop into leaders or what we call Champions, culminating in graduation as life coaches or mentors themselves. The program aims to enhance employability, with graduates potentially hired as life coaches. This innovative approach addresses diverse facets of personal development, striving for lasting, sustainable changes in participants' lives.
By cultivating trainers who can mentor others, the UP Program’s goal is to multiply its impact and create employment opportunities for its graduates. This innovative approach breaks the cycle of homelessness through empowerment and equips individuals with the skills needed to maintain a stable life and contribute positively to their communities.

If successfully implemented in L.A. County, the UP Program could effectively reduce homelessness by empowering individuals with purpose, skills, and employability. Graduates would not only gain practical skills but also a mindset focused on personal growth and community contribution. Receiving training from life coaches opens the doors to employment, bolstering economic stability. Emphasis on physical health promotes healthier lifestyles, potentially reducing healthcare costs. By fostering community engagement, the program could strengthen social bonds. Its success could inspire similar approaches nationwide, offering holistic solutions to complex social issues and creating a resilient, inclusive community where all individuals can thrive. This year, we’ll offer this program to the estimated 500 homeless individuals that receive recuperative care at our Mission Hills facility. The program will be expanded when we open a new facility in Lancaster this summer.

Defining and measuring success in the UP Program involves assessing participant outcomes, program effectiveness, and community impact. Key metrics include employment rates, housing stability, skills development (literacy, numeracy, computer proficiency), and health improvements. Program effectiveness is gauged through retention rates, participant satisfaction surveys, and skills mastery assessments. Community impact is evaluated by volunteer hours, community engagement, and economic contributions. Long-term sustainability is assessed by funding stability, scalability, and stakeholder feedback. Qualitative indicators like participant stories and stakeholder testimonials enrich understanding of personal transformation and program impact. Regular assessments ensure the program meets its goals of empowering individuals experiencing homelessness while fostering community resilience and sustainable change.