LIVENew Beginnings Housing Program
The New Beginnings Housing Program, established by the Blaque Empress Foundation, provides safe, affordable housing for Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) aged 18–24, including former foster youth, homeless youth, and those with juvenile justice involvement.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Affordable housing and homelessness
In which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
Gateway Cities South Bay Long Beach County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
The New Beginnings Housing Program, established by the Blaque Empress Foundation, provides safe, affordable housing for Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) aged 18–24, including former foster youth, homeless youth, and those with juvenile justice involvement. Per 2024 LAHSA data, Los Angeles County has 75,312 homeless individuals, with 10% (7,531) being youth—50% with juvenile justice histories and 35% with foster care experience. Up to 50% face immediate homelessness, increasing risks of substance use, mental health issues, and trafficking. With housing prices and homelessness across Los Angeles at an all-time high, The New Beginnings Housing Program offers comprehensive support to prevent chronic homelessness and promote stability.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The grant will support the New Beginnings Housing Program by Blaque Empress Foundation, an initiative in Los Angeles County dedicated to providing accessible housing and services to Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) aged 18–24 marginalized by trauma, homelessness, foster care, and juvenile justice involvement. The New Beginnings Housing Program offers a Transitional Living Program that provides Temporary Housing Options and Short Term Rental Assistance up to one year for Transitional Aged Youth. This Program will offer Housing Navigation and Placement Services, Support Services for Stability, Mental Health Referrals, Life Skills Coaching, Financial Literacy and Job training to support reintegration. These wraparound services address underlying causes of homelessness, paired with trauma-informed case management and partnerships with LAHSA and DMH, it addresses risks like substance use and trafficking, promoting stability and empowerment with a supportive network dedicated to their success.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
The New Beginnings Housing Program, a BIPOC-led initiative by Blaque Empress Foundation, aims to transform Los Angeles County by addressing youth homelessness. From Oct 2025–Oct 2026, it will serve 20 TAY (18–24) with short-term rental vouchers, plus trauma-informed case management, mental health referrals , legal aid, and job training (Youth@Work). Goals: 70% housing retention, 50% in education/jobs. By 2028, it will scale to 60 TAY, adding 20 vouchers yearly via LAHSA partnerships, impacting 180 youth in 5 years. By reducing substance use and trafficking risks, it empowers TAY, breaking homelessness cycles and strengthening communities countywide.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 20
Indirect Impact: 180