Housing empowerment program

Affordable housing and homelessness

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The issue that the Housing Empowerment Program (HEP) seeks to address is the systemic impact of racism, mass incarceration, police violence, and discriminatory housing policies on marginalized communities. These factors have led to increased violence, police use of force, incarceration, mental illness, homelessness, and displacement, particularly in neighborhoods like Watts. HEP aims to provide accessible services and resources to individuals and families affected by these issues, with a focus on reentry support, housing assistance, mental wellness counseling, and community collaboration to break barriers to sustained housing and well-being.

The grant will support the Housing Empowerment Program (HEP) by Liddo Grannies Touch and Embrace Change Now, a BIPOC-led initiative in Watts dedicated to providing accessible services to individuals and families marginalized by racism, trauma, homelessness, and unemployment. HEP aims to address systemic issues such as police violence and discriminatory housing policies by offering reentry resources, housing assistance, mental wellness counseling, and community collaboration for transformative change in the community. The project will focus on providing alternatives to homelessness and incarceration through direct services that aim to decrease barriers to sustained housing and well-being, ultimately promoting long-term stability and empowerment for those impacted by systemic injustices.

If the Housing Empowerment Program (HEP) by Liddo Grannies Touch and Embrace Change Now is successful in its mission, Los Angeles County will see a significant reduction in the impact of systemic issues such as racism, mass incarceration, police violence, and discriminatory housing policies on marginalized communities. The success of HEP will lead to increased access to housing, mental wellness support, and community resources for individuals and families in need, ultimately fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment in Los Angeles County. This success will result in fewer instances of homelessness, incarceration, and displacement, as well as increased opportunities for healing, empowerment, and transformative change in the community.

Outcome 1: The hiring of 2 new coordinators/case managers will increase the number of participants served by the program.
Outcome 2: 87% of participants in our housing project will secure short and medium-term housing placements successfully.
Outcome 3: Achieve a 35% increase in the number of HEP participants placed in short and medium-term housing.
Outcome 4: 80% of HEP participants receiving post-conviction services will gain employment through the support of coordinator community partnerships.

Embrace Change Now actively supports the Housing Empowerment Program by implementing outreach, housing placement, and post-conviction services. They engage with the community, advocate for marginalized individuals, and assist in data collection for program evaluation. Despite lacking 501(c)(3) status, their impactful role enhances the program's reach and effectiveness in supporting marginalized individuals in Watts.