Safe Housing After Hardship

Affordable housing and homelessness

South LA Central LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

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

Los Angeles faces an urgent housing crisis, especially for people returning from incarceration, fleeing domestic violence, or aging without stable support. These individuals often have no family or safety net and are locked out of housing due to background checks, income barriers, and stigma. The transition out of homelessness or jail is a fragile time without access to safe, sober housing and tailored support, many fall back into cycles of instability. Housing must be immediate, human-centered, and paired with real pathways to long-term stability.

This grant will support Free From Hardship LA’s core interim housing program, which provides safe, sober, and supportive shelter for individuals in South LA navigating reentry, homelessness, trauma, and recovery. Funds will expand wraparound services at our four residential sites, including personalized case management, job readiness training, mental health and medical referrals, and family reunification support, while deepening our capacity to move more residents into permanent housing.

Each resident is met with dignity and structure: daily check-ins, peer accountability, and immediate needs like clothing, meals, and hygiene items. Our staff conduct individualized intake assessments, offer resume support and interview prep, and help residents enroll in benefits or apply for Section 8. We collaborate with partner agencies to deliver trauma-informed care, behavioral health services, and legal aid.

The program is led by a founder with lived experience of incarceration, addiction, and family instability. Her journey drives a client-centered model rooted in trust, stability, and long-term impact. The ultimate goal is not just shelter, but healing, self-sufficiency, and a permanent place to call home.

If successful, more Angelenos impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and trauma will exit crisis and enter lasting stability. Dozens more will transition from our interim homes into permanent housing, with jobs, family connections, and a plan for the future. South LA will have a stronger network of culturally responsive housing and reentry support led by people who reflect the communities they serve. We will reduce recidivism, uplift women and families, and disrupt the cycles that keep people trapped. Our model shows that with safety, structure, and someone who believes in you, transformation is possible.