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Page de couverture de Small & Gutsy Features Home Again, LA - Supportive Home Search and Much More

Small & Gutsy Features Home Again, LA - Supportive Home Search and Much More

Small & Gutsy Features Home Again, LA - Supportive Home Search and Much More

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 One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. Home Again LA is changing the narrative around homelessness by recognizing it as a situational crisis, not a personal failure. Through innovative partnerships with faith-based organizations, corporations, and community agencies, HALA has helped over 600 families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing while building resilience and hope. Albert Hernandez, CEO of Home Again LA, shares his personal journey from a family on the brink of homelessness to leading one of the most impactful nonprofits serving unhoused families in Los Angeles County. Albert's Personal Story One of 11 siblings raised in Koreatown, Los AngelesFather passed away when Albert was 14; mother worked two jobs to support the familyStarted working at Boys and Girls Club at age 14 with a 4.0 GPAEvery paycheck went to help his mother with rent, food, and family necessitiesWorked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years before joining Home Again LA as CEO in July 2015 The Homelessness Crisis Most Angelenos are one paycheck away from homelessnessPost-pandemic cost of living increases: Food costs have doubled1-bedroom rent: $1,800 → $2,400–$2,500/month Families have deep roots in Los Angeles County and often cannot simply "move elsewhere"The unhoused community is vastly misunderstood Home Again LA's Core Programs 1. Emergency Shelter (Core Program) 90-day program for families with children experiencing homelessnessOperates like a "boot camp"—fast-paced, goal-orientedAverage turnaround: 54 days to permanent housingCongregations provide overnight housing (6 PM–7 AM)Day center offers showers, laundry, job training, case management, Wi-FiKey requirement: Children must be enrolled in school and attending regularlyServes families fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing job loss/income disruption 2. Rapid Rehousing Program 6-month program (launched 2017)Our organization pays a portion of the security deposit and rent Month 1: 90% of rentMonth 2: 80% of rentGradually decreases so family takes over 100% by end of program Results: 471 families served; all but 2 successfully took over their leases12-month follow-up support to ensure housing stability 3. Eviction Prevention Program Started during the pandemicProvides financial assistance for families with rental arrearsIncludes employment support and financial stability planningImpact (2020–2021): Leveraged over $2 million in federal, state, and county fundingContinues today as cost-of-living crisis persists 4. Financial Education/Outreach Program Classes on credit vs. debit, building emergency savings, understanding interest ratesPartnership with Operation Hope for homeownership certification classesSuccess story: 3 families who were living in their cars are now homeowners 5. After-School Care Partnership Partnership with local Boys and Girls ClubScholarships for all families' childrenAllows parents to work full 8-hour shifts (pickup as late as 5–7 PM)Critical for parental employment stability THE FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIP MODEL Origins: Founded in 2008 by faith-based community members who recognized the fastest-growing unhoused population was families with childrenNo dedicated shelter facility — congregations provide evening beds (6 PM–7 AM)Parishioner involvement: Provide meals, homework tutoring, mock interviews, emotional supportCorporate partnerships: Walt Disney Company, Logix Federal Credit Union, National Charity League (mothers & daughters volunteer group)Not a faith-based organization — rather, a secular nonprofit that works alongside faith communitiesImpact: 90% of graduating families report that "being treated like any other community member" was the most impactful part of the program AHA MOMENTS The Estrada Family Story Single mother and teenage son fleeing domestic violenceMother had zero credit history — no credit card, apartment, or vehicle in her nameShe was "invisible" to the housing systemRequired 116 days in shelter (vs. typical 90 days)Successfully housed; son is now in college and volunteers for program participantsLesson: No credit history is worse than bad credit; flexibility and advocacy are essential BEST PRACTICES HIGHLIGHTED Quality over Quantity: Focus on compassionate, individualized care rather than serving maximum numbersTreat the nonprofit like a business: Sustainable fundraising, financial reserves, and operational planning are non-negotiableCollaboration is essential: Leverage partnerships with Boys and Girls Club, financial institutions, corporations, and faith organizationsIt takes a village: No single entity can solve homelessness; success requires community infrastructureFlexibility within structure: Accountability (school attendance, job seeking) balanced with compassion for unique circumstances12-month follow-up: Maintain relationships post-housing to ensure long-term stabilityTreat people with dignity: ...
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