Project H.O.M.E.R.U.N.

Affordable housing and homelessness

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

According to data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the LA County Department of Children and Family Services, over 66,000 individuals experience homelessness in the county, with transition-age youth (TAY) comprising nearly 20% of this population. System-impacted, TAY with limited education and few marketable skills face severe difficulties in the housing market. The California Child Welfare Indicators Project shares the median annual income for youth exiting the foster care system in LA County is around $16k annually and for justice-impacted youth, the median annual income is even lower, around $12k per year. Additionally, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,400 - $1,800 per month. When comparing the average system-impacted TAY income to apartment costs, this means the average 1-bedroom apartment in the area would consume 105% - 135% of a foster youth’s monthly income and 140% - 220% of a justice-impacted youth’s monthly income.

My Tribe Housing, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles County, is seeking a $75,000 grant to implement Project H.O.M.E.R.U.N., a Transitional Living Program (TLP) designed to provide housing and supportive services for a period of up to 18 months, to transition-age youth (TAY) ages 18 through 24 who are housing insecure and have been impacted by the child welfare and/or the juvenile justice systems. Project H.O.M.E.R.U.N. represents: The Housing, Outreach, Mentorship, Employment, and Reentry Uplift Network. This initiative provides a comprehensive approach to navigating the housing market, 1-on-1 transition planning, peer support, workforce readiness training, job placement, and internship opportunities. Our goal is to foster resilience, cultivate self-sufficiency, and dismantle barriers to successful community integration, ensuring every young adult is enveloped in what we fondly call "the Tribe," a supportive network of community organizations, leaders, and stakeholders dedicated to their success. To achieve our goal, we will provide the following services: temporary housing options, individualized service planning, workshops and programs to develop participants' job-seeking skills, including resume building, mock interviews, provide access to paid internship opportunities and secure long-term employment. Youth will also be paired with trained mentors who will provide personalized support and coaching on personal growth, social connections, and career development.

Los Angeles County system-impacted youth will exhibit a transformative mindset, progressively reframing their beliefs, challenge limiting narratives, and cultivate a growth-oriented, empowered mindset. Project H.O.ME.R.U.N. will establish connections between peers who have navigated similar paths, a part of a supportive community and a network of guidance. Youth will exit the program with financial literacy education, skills training, job placement assistance, and other practical resources to help them overcome resource-related barriers and gain the tools they need to achieve independence and create a nurturing "home."

Project H.O.ME.R.U.N. will administer pre- and post-assessments and conduct periodic reviews to measure the number of participants who maintain their current housing arrangements, how participants progress in developing independent living skills, changes in participants' career awareness, skills, and goal-setting abilities. Additionally, utilize validated scales and surveys to assess the level of improvements in participants' mental health, self-esteem, and resilience. Track and monitor the number of participants who secure independent, permanent housing options, complete career exploration workshops, develop individualized plans, and secure/maintain employment, including job retention rates. Lastly, collect data on the types of career pathways, educational/training programs participants pursue, their utilization of public assistance programs, and gather feedback/ testimonials from participants on the effectiveness of the housing stability support received and transition planning.