Wellness Services for People Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles

Affordable housing and homelessness

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

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

LA Family Housing (LAFH) is one of the largest homeless services providers and affordable housing developers in Los Angeles, where the homelessness crisis has grown into the worst in the nation. Over 10,000 families are experiencing homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles and at least 1 in 4 people experiencing homelessness in LA report serious mental health and substance use concerns. Homelessness itself is a form of trauma, and most unhoused people have experienced complex trauma that led to their experiences of homelessness. Experiences of homelessness often come with prolonged insecurity, instability, and fear—conditions that take a significant mental and emotional toll. For many individuals and families, this ongoing stress can lead to diminished self-worth, isolation, and difficulty maintaining emotional well-being and basic self-care.

Our innovative Wellness Program addresses critical gaps in mental health and substance use resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, helping them achieve long-term stability after moving into permanent supportive housing. Without consistent access to care, many are at risk of cycling back into homelessness.
Launched in 2021 in response to rising needs following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wellness Program was created to fill the void of mental health services for those transitioning indoors. Referrals to external agencies like the Department of Mental Health often came with long waitlists, leaving participants without urgent care.
Now embedded at all 12 LAFH permanent supportive housing sites, our Wellness Program brings on-site support directly to where people live. Mental Health Specialists rotate through sites providing trauma-informed counseling, crisis intervention, assessments, and substance use support. They conduct Wellness Checks, offer warm referrals, and maintain offices near high-traffic areas to encourage organic engagement.
Ongoing wellness events—like Recovery Book Club, Anxiety & Depression Support Groups, and Sound Bath Meditation—foster healing and community. With a trust-based model, our team strengthens relationships and ensures continuity of care.
Backed by private investment, hope to use this program as a proof of concept to improve public resources toward mental health and substance use disorder resources in the future.

A grant from LA2050 will directly support wellness initiatives reaching 150 Angelenos as they transition out of homelessness. LA Family Housing is building a more equitable LA County by addressing the often-overlooked mental health and substance use needs of individuals and families exiting homelessness. Continued success of our Wellness Program means LA County becomes a place where care is no longer a barrier to stability, and healing is part of the housing journey. By embedding specialists into our 12 permanent supportive housing sites, we make care accessible and consistent. On-site staff build strong relationships with residents and provide support when and where it’s needed most. This program helps people regain emotional well-being, build resilience, and avoid returning to homelessness. With a <95% housing retention rate, reduced crises, and increased referrals to ongoing care, our approach is a model for integrating trauma-informed care into housing solutions across LA County.