The Road Home

Affordable housing and homelessness

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

As a peer-led organization, PVLA recognizes a significant gap in the social support system, particularly the lack of care strategies and services that are deeply informed by and representative of those with lived experience. Our programs address critical areas such as homelessness, justice-involvement, mental health, healthcare access, and social support networks. These programs are developed and delivered by individuals with direct lived experience, ensuring a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and geographic nuances of the communities we serve, as well as shared attributes like race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and language. We use our firsthand insight to enhance and improve pre-existing support systems and create new ones where we have experienced oversight and inadequate support. Our approach ensures that services are relevant, empathetic, and effective, ultimately leading to better outcomes for marginalized populations.

The grant will support PVLA's initiative to implement an extension of our Peer Support Services, specifically targeting the intersection of homelessness, justice-involved individuals, healthcare access, and social support networks. This initiative will expand our Peer Navigator program, which provides crisis counseling, peer-led support groups, and linkages to essential services to overcome social determinants of health.
With the grant, we will implement the following support groups and services: The Road Home (case management for unhoused or those at risk of homelessness through back rent assistance, mental health support services, social services application assistance, housing navigation assistance, support for HUD housing inspections, and therapeutic recovery from hoarding.)
ADA-Compliant Reentry Housing Navigation (whole-person case management for formerly incarcerated individuals with disabilities reentering the community and navigating housing needs which will also utilize various pre-existing support groups)

If PVLA's work is successful, Los Angeles County's most vulnerable populations will experience increased stability, improved mental health, and enhanced social support. Homelessness rates will decline as more individuals secure stable housing through our Peer Navigator program, and justice-involved individuals will successfully reintegrate into society with the help of peer support and advocacy services.
Mental health outcomes will improve as marginalized individuals gain access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services, reducing symptoms and enhancing overall well-being. Healthcare access will be more equitable, with underserved communities receiving the support they need to navigate the healthcare system and address their physical and mental health needs.
Ultimately, our peer-led initiatives will empower individuals with lived experiences to become advocates for themselves and others, creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout the county.

PVLA will aim to launch these new programs by Q2 of the grant period, and demonstrate increased participant numbers by at least +10% baseline from Q3 onward, for each quarter of the grant term. Successful delivery of services will be measured by the number of individuals who secure stable housing, complete mental health treatment, and successfully reintegrate after release. Participant experiences will be compiled quarterly, for scaled improvement reviews by PVOC/the LA2050 Collective, and creation of actionable quality & equity improvement strategies.