Lifting Neighbors LA

Affordable housing and homelessness

South LA Central LA East LA

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

Homelessness is a complex and deeply rooted issue stemming from a combination of factors such as lack of affordable housing, unemployment, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, systemic inequality, and insufficient support networks. It is not simply a housing problem but a multifaceted crisis that affects individuals' physical and mental well-being, limits access to opportunities, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization. Addressing homelessness requires a holistic, compassionate approach that goes beyond temporary fixes—offering not only safe and stable shelter but also long-term support systems that promote independence, dignity, and community reintegration. Solutions often include transitional and permanent housing models integrated with wraparound support services such as mental health care, job training, addiction recovery, and financial literacy.

This grant will support a comprehensive housing initiative designed to provide safe, stable, and affordable living spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness. The project combines transitional and permanent housing with a suite of integrated support services, including case management, mental health counseling, job readiness training, and life skills development. Through a social enterprise model, the program also incorporates employment opportunities within its own operations—such as property maintenance, food services, or social ventures—helping residents earn income and build work experience. The ultimate goal is to empower participants to transition from homelessness to independent living, while creating a sustainable, scalable model that reinvests in community impact.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will see a measurable reduction in homelessness, with more individuals and families living in safe, stable housing and no longer cycling through shelters, hospitals, or the justice system. Communities will be strengthened by the reintegration of people who were once marginalized, now contributing through employment, civic engagement, and community involvement. The County will benefit from a more compassionate, cost-effective approach to homelessness—where public resources are used more efficiently, neighborhoods are revitalized, and the social fabric is strengthened through inclusive, dignity-driven solutions.