Street Medicine Outreach in Marina Del Rey

Affordable housing and homelessness

West LA

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

HIA has been working in the Los Angeles area since 2021, providing wrap-around services that address the needs of homeless populations, including medical services, case management, behavioral health services, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, care coordination and enrollment into various government provided services. Since beginning comprehensive tracking, HIA has officially served over 4,600 patients across six California counties; however, HIA estimates its total patient reach is significantly higher.
Marina del Rey does not have regular, consistent “street medicine” or homeless healthcare services. HIA's experience coupled with its comprehensive services, makes it uniquely positioned to reach and engage unhoused or housing insecure people in Marina Del Rey. Our team will be able to deliver street medicine and case management services to individuals by collaborating closely with trusted community partners and engaging in coordinated care systems for immediate, aligned support.

Healthcare in Action (HIA) is a non-profit medical organization established in 2021, dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare and support services to the unhoused populations in California. Through a street medicine model, we reach the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, providing not only immediate healthcare services but also a pathway to longer-term solutions such as housing, ongoing medical, and substance abuse and mental health care. Currently with 13 street medicine teams, we are the largest and most comprehensive street medicine program on the West Coast. To expand our services and further our impact, HIA is seeking to introduce encampment street medicine outreach in Marina del Rey, operating 3 half-days a week. This is part of the broader street medicine practice, which involves HIA going directly into the streets, underpasses, parks, and other locations where homeless individuals and communities reside, to provide medical care and support services. HIA has been working closely with the Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey hospital team to coordinate care transitions and safe discharges for unhoused patients in the community. The proposed expansion aligns with HIA’s ongoing efforts and partnership with Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey. With the support of the LA 2050 grant, HIA aims to broaden its reach and deepen its impact within the Marina del Rey community, ensuring that the city’s most vulnerable residents have access to vital healthcare and support services.

HIA aims to holistically improve the well-being of individuals in Los Angeles County by providing comprehensive, integrated care that goes beyond just immediate needs. By prioritizing longitudinal engagement and a "one point of service" approach, HIA fosters enhanced access to critical medical, mental health, substance use, and specialized care. HIA proposes to expand their outreach by staffing a team in Marina del Rey to eventually be able to provide comprehensive medical services, including delivered by mobile medical vans and multidisciplinary street teams across Los Angeles County. The organization's consistency, community roots, and strategic partnerships enable it to reach and retain vulnerable populations often overlooked by traditional systems.