Cynthia Caldwell, a neighbor of Jeffrey “Animal” Pereira in the homeless encampment along the Los Angeles River in, reaches out to touch his photo on Sunday during a vigil at Bond Park. Nick Agro / For The Times)
"Those friends gathered Sunday in a sliver of a park on Los Feliz Boulevard to recall the life of Jeffrey Pereira, 54, who died Friday in his encampment nearby on the banks of the L.A. River."
- Doug Smith | LA Times
This year marks the 30th Annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day takes place each year on the longest night of the year, the winter solstice on December 21st. It's a time to remember those we have lost this year and strengthen our resolve to work for a world where no life is lived or lost in homelessness.
“Pereira was one of the more than 1,200 people who died on the streets of Los Angeles in 2020. Unlike so many, he was neither unknown nor alone.”
Parthenia Place in North Hills became the new location for 40 families who were homeless. (John Cádiz Klemack/NBC4)
With the incredible support of our City Council President Nury Martinez and CD 6, LAFH made the holidays bright for our 40 families that just two weeks ago moved into Parthenia Place — L.A.’s first Project Homekey site operated by LA Family Housing and owned by the Housing Authority of Los Angeles
“‘By bringing Christmas trees, food for everybody, lunch for today, food for the holidays and generous donors to LA Family Housing -- has allowed us to buy thousands of presents for all the children we serve,’ Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, from LA Family Housing said.”
Parthenia Place is the first permanent housing complex purchased by the city through Project Homekey, and with the help of our partners, we’re making it a merry time for a positive transition and a wonderful holiday season.
December 02, 2020
40 Homeless Families Move into San Fernando Housing Complex.
(Copyright © 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
Parthenia Place is L.A.'s first Project Homekey site dedicated to housing individuals experiencing homelessness. It's a brand new permanent supportive housing apartment complex for 40 families and Transition-Age-Youth.
“… 14 motels and apartment buildings have been purchased throughout L.A. to provide 750 units and rooms for those seeking housing, including Parthenia Place and two motels in Council District 6.”
LAFH partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, City Council President Nury Martinez, and L.A. City Mayor Eric Garcetti, to create this supportive housing building.
Homelessness in Los Angeles (Suzanne Stein)
L.A. is home to more than 60,000 individuals experiencing homelessness. As COVID-19 continues to impact the mental, physical, and socioeconomic health of individuals, the needs are ever-increasing.
LAFH in addition to several partner organizations - organization like The People Concern, and Weingart Center - are doubling down on our outreach, housing, and all-around supportive services to provide our most vulnerable Angelenos with the assistance they need to remain, healthy, safe, COVID-19 free.
"These local homeless charities—worthy of your money and time—are on the front lines of the crisis." - Malia Mendez
To see how LAFH is making a direct impact in our mission to #endhomelessness, please visit our COVID-19 response page.
November 06, 2020
Homeless Students Get Help with Virtual Learning
Erica Richardson sits with her two sons. © 2025, Charter Communication
As COVID-19 continues to ravage the processes and rework procedures of daily life of parents, students, and teachers in families experiencing homelessness, LA Family Housing and partner organizations are stepping up with a new program geared toward education and supportive services called “Kids First.”
“The program is part of an effort led by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez and other nonprofits, including LA Family Housing, to give education, health care, food, and housing support to students and their families for a full school year.”
Tutors will visit family motel sites two days a week, which will help a total of more than 50 families experiencing homelessness .
Parent Erica Richardson is living with her two sons. Lonnie (11) and Jayden (9) at a motel in Van Nuys. The family became homeless when Erica lost her job and was unable to afford rent. Erica said that times are rough and expressed her worries over online learning and the education of her two sons, but also mentioned that their constant support helps the family get through it together.
"When I get down on myself, they are like, 'no, you're not a bad mom,'" Richardson said. "And I'm like, that really speaks volumes to me right now."
November 02, 2020
LA’s Homeless Getting Involved in Election, Using Their Vote
(Copyright © 2025 NBCUniversal Media)
The voices of some of LA’s unhoused neighbors got a chance to be heard on Tuesday at the LA Family Housing campus Vote Center. LAFH’s Leading the Vote Home initiative proved that many people living on LA’s streets didn’t even realize they had a right to vote.
“They felt if they didn’t have an address, they didn’t have the opportunity to cast a ballot, and there could be nothing further from the truth,” said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, President and CEO of LAFH.
“This site of our campus was the first homeless shelter that we ever opened in the early 80s,” she continued. Voters like Shay Hall were able to register on site and cast a provisional ballot. Hall wanted to get back in the booth because he missed the Presidential election last time. He says he fell off the voter rolls and wants to see changes across Los Angeles. “I wish we could clean up homelessness a lot, and maybe we could improve on housing. We’re having a rent crisis,” Hall said.
“In this election, ALL of our voices matter.” - Stephanie Klasky-Gamer
(Photo: LA Family Housing)
Under California’s Project Homekey program, eight projects to create permanent housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness were awarded $55.6 Million.
“Six of the projects are in the city of Los Angeles, and would offer up 243 units, which includes five motels and an apartment, and two additional projects proposed by Los Angeles County would create 145 units. These projects were part of the fourth round of awards announced under the program, and adds to six other projects that received funding in a previous round in the Los Angeles County area.”
This program is similar to the Project Roomkey program, which will be ending soon. Linda Richter, a Project Roomkey & LAFH participant said that being in Project Roomkey helped her get back on her feet after she lost her housing due to medical bills.
“‘Los Angeles has such a critical problem with homelessness,’” she added. “‘You see tents on the corners and under the freeways. It’s just … it’s just heartbreaking, and you think, what is going to happen to these people?’”
September 28, 2020
How Three Providers Are Conducting Voter Engagement Efforts
(Graphic courtesy of National Alliance to End Homelessness)
“The National Alliance to End Homelessness recently connected with partners across the country to learn more about their voting efforts. From responding to the call to action for voter engagement efforts at the Alliance’s Nationwide Townhall, to addressing racial injustice and voter suppression efforts due to COVID-19, Homeward Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, LA Family Housing, and Pathways to Housing DC stepped up to ensure their clients were registered and encouraged to vote.”
LAFH was inspired by the spread of inaccurate information and lack of access to unhoused individuals as direct forms of voter suppression. Coupled with the COVID-19 crisis, our most vulnerable populations were not even considered for group outreach efforts, so LAFH decided to take matters into our own hands.
Together with partner organizations, we’ve hosted more than 8 events, registered individuals experiencing homelessness to vote, and educated our most vulnerable neighbors about their right to be heard, counted, and valued.
Read the full article at the National Alliance to End Homelessness
September 02, 2020
Dodgers Foundation Awards More than $1 Million in Grants Aimded Social Justice, COVID-19 Relief
The L.A. Dodgers Foundation announced Wednesday that it is recognizing nonprofit organizations that are providing dire need to Angelenos during COVID-19. Additionally, the Dodgers are awarding more than $1 million in grants to said organizations that are addressing communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and social injustice.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) remains kneeling as the National Anthem begins following a moment of silence in honor of the Black Lives Matter movement. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
"Our nonprofit partners are on the ground doing significant work to uplift neglected communities,'' said Chaitali Gala Mehta, the foundation's chief operating officer. "The impact of the pandemic and ongoing racial injustice has redirected our charitable dollars in 2020 to organizations that are supporting Angelenos in dire need. Our commitment to investing in local nonprofits continues during a time when every dollar counts."
LAFH was awarded $15k to provide food, clothing, and basic necessities for 400 families experiencing homelessness.
Residence on Main - 69th and Main St. (Photo: Urbanize LA)
Residence on Main, a roughly $30-million project located at the southwest corner of Main & 69th street is receiving it’s finishing touches. Under the supervision of LAFH, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, and designs by Y&M Architects, the project is on track for opening in 2021.
“The four-story edifice will offer 50 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, reserved for chronically homeless Angelenos, transition-aged youth, and families.”
Rents will range from $509 to $1260 per month and will be made available to household earning between 35 and 50 percent of the area median income.
In addition to housing, the project includes a garden, a courtyard, community spaces, and a 25-car garage.
LAFH President and CEO Stephanie Klasky-Gamer is joined my Mayor Eric Garcetti, Assemblymember Luz Rivas, Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) CEO Heidi Marston, LAFH Board Chair Gillian Wright and Housing & Homeless Deputy Molly Rysman. (Photo: L.A. Daily News)
Each winter, The National Guard armory in Sylmar was converted into a shelter ran by LA Family Housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them a reprieve from the harsh elements.
Under the supervision of LA Family Housing and with the help of amazing partners, staff, and county elected officials, the once sparingly used facility will now be used to provide 85 women with a safe haven of supportive bridge housing during their journeys out of homelessness.
The Arroyo will not only provide a safe haven for individuals experiencing homelessness, but also features a yoga room, exercise equipment, and an outdoor seating/eating area.
The project relied heavily on Measure H funds but also received more than $3.6 Million from the City of L.A.
“… in the San Fernando Valley, the Sylmar facility will only be the second such shelter to open. City leaders hailed the opening of a shelter in North Hollywood earlier this month, which has 85-beds, the majority of which are for men, and the rest for women.”
Residents will move in to the building later this month.
Thursday night, LA Family Housing partnered with DTLA restaurant, Angelini Osteria, Big Sugar Bakeshop, and In Good Taste for Home Together — a virtual event to raise funds, awareness, and recognize front line staff who are working everyday to provide supportive services to individuals experiencing homeless.
Actor and comedian P.J. Byrne was joined by actors Kristen Bell and Ed Helms, who provided both entertainment and information on LAFH participants. The night also featured four-time Grammy award-winning artist India Arie, and L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez.
“With 980 attendees across four platforms — the unique event web page, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter — Home Together met its fundraising goal of $250,000 raised the night of the virtual event on Thursday, June 25. Combined with the $1 million already raised for April 2020 LAFH Awards gala (canceled due to COVID-19), LA Family Housing raised a total of $1.25 million in support of their work to end homelessness in Los Angeles.” (Photos by Michele Stueven)
June 26, 2020
Kristen Bell, Ed Helms, India Arie Unite for Virtual Benefit to Fight Homelessness in Los Angeles
(Thumbnail by LA Family Housing)
On Thursday night, Kristen Bell tossed on a ruffled purple shirt and Zoomed in from her living room. Ed Helms strummed a guitar while singing a twangy cover of “Freeborn Man” by Jimmy Martin. India Arie performed “Strength, Courage, & Wisdom” with her virtual band members supporting her from their individual homes. And JD McCrary showed off a glimpse inside his bedroom and an a capella rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”
These festivities were part of LA Family Housing’s virtual “Home Together” Fundraiser, hosted by P.J. Byrne. LAFH, which strives to help people on the streets of Los Angeles find shelter and support, typically throws an annual gala in April; this year, coronavirus had other plans. But that wasn’t enough to stop the founders from raising awareness — and funds — for the organization’s many initiatives.
June 23, 2020
As Efforts Collapse to Place homeless in Hotels, L.A. Officials Propose New, $800-million plan
As COVID-19 continues to impact L.A. County, officials Tuesday unveiled an $800-million redesigned plan to reinforce housing measures for vulnerable Angelenos experiencing homelessness.
Wendy Brown, 58, who spent three years sleeping on sidewalks, walks through the hallway where she now resides at the Cadillac Hotel in Venice as part of Project Roomkey. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“The three-year program proposed by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) would employ a combination of bridge housing, rental subsidies and rehousing services, all leading to permanent placements for 15,000 people who are considered most vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their age or health conditions.”
The plan outlines $600 million of new funding, on top of $200 million from existing homeless programs. Monetary sources for the new proposed plan are currently unavailable as Measure H funding is taking a critical hit due to COVID-19.
“Other elements of the plan include a 50 percent increase in LAHSA’s prevention program, beefed-up tenant protections and efforts to more quickly fill vacancies in existing supportive housing, which sometimes remains empty for months after tenants leave.”
June 11, 2020
India Arie Joins the Lineup for LA Family Housing’s Virtual Fundraiser
India Arie (courtesy of India Arie)
LA Family Housing is excited to announce that Grammy award winning artist India Arie is joining us for our Home Together virtual event!
This event will raise awareness and funds for LA Family Housing’s work to end homelessness, and celebrate our frontline staff and program participants.
“Since the Stay At Home order was enacted, LA Family Housing has moved more than 450 people indoors, provided 1,300 meals a day to families in need, and partnered with L.A .County to temporarily convert four motels to new shelters for people at risk of being infected with coronavirus.”
Additional guests joining us to raise funding to end homelessness include Ed Helms, Kristen Bell, and more!
The virtual event will take place on Thursday, June 25 @ 7 pm PST. To RSVP please, visit lafh.org/hometogether
May 15, 2020
America’s Cities Could House Everyone if They Chose To
A young man who was raised in a group home and has been homeless since age 18, on the street in New York. (Credit: Anna Watts for The New York Times)
At any given time in the united states there are more than 500,000 individuals who are experiencing homelessness. This staggering number not only reflects a larger housing problem, but also is exacerbated by the current protocols and temporary measures taken by the United States to help support homelessness.
“The federal government could render homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. The cure for homelessness is housing, and, as it happens, the money is available: Congress could shift billions in annual federal subsidies from rich homeowners to people who don’t have homes.”
The palliative care of the current solutions to homelessness in the U.S., however, is geared toward temporary and intermittent solutions like shelters, day-care centers, showers, etc.
“Reframing the debate — asking what is necessary to end homelessness — is an important first step for New York and for other places that are failing this basic test of civic responsibility.”
May 4, 2020
Close-Knit Community Moves into Safety Together with Project Roomkey
(Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
Under the supervision of LA Family Housing, 43 high-risk people who had been living at a freeway underpass were placed in the safe environment of a local hotel.
April 18, 2020
L.A. RACES to save 15,000 homeless people from coronavirus - one hotel room at a time
Omar Spry of the Los Angeles Housing Community Investment Department pushes a cart of bags into a West L.A. hotel that has been turned into housing for homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
LA County officials have launched a new effort to relocate more than 15,000 individuals experiencing homelessness to hotel and motels to stop the spread of COVID-19.
There are about 60,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in LA County - As a vulnerable population that is more susceptible to not only the spread of coronavirus, but also heightened effects of the virus, it’s important to provide increased resources and prevention.
‘“Moving quickly is critical. If LAHSA can secure 15,000 rooms and fill them, it could prevent 1,400 hospitalizations and 350 deaths, according to an analysis by Randall Kuhn, the UCLA researcher who led a study on how many homeless people could die from COVID-19.’”
To aid in isolation and help lessen the overall spread of the virus, LA Family Housing has taken responsibility for a total of 126 motel and hotel rooms.
April 2, 2020
Inside L.A.’s Scramble to open shelters and find hotel rooms for coronavirus patients
More than 100 RVs are parked at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles to house people who have tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19. Many of the patients are homeless. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
As the risk of spreading COVID-19 rises, LA county is hastily compiling multiple housing shelters, isolation locations, and coronavirus resources for vulnerable populations like individuals experiencing homelessness.
‘“The L.A. County Office of Emergency Management, which is responsible for providing space for patients to quarantine or isolate themselves, had 460 rooms ready this week — including 112 trailers at Dockweiler State Beach — and is preparing to open another 442 rooms. Only 51 people were using them as of Tuesday. More will be used as more people are confirmed to have COVID-19 or possible exposure to the disease, the agency’s Director Kevin McGowan said.’”
To aid in isolation and lessen the overall spread of the virus, LA Family Housing has converted its community room and its computer room into sleeping areas, has set 15-minute meal times, and has provided/implemented necessary preventative safety procedures.
March 25, 2020
‘Pose’ Star Ryan Jamaal Swain, Troian Bellisario Fundraise for LA Family Housing During Coronavirus Pandemic
(Photo/Getty Images)
LA Family Housing enlisted the help of its young Hollywood action committee to assist in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic including “Pose” actors Ryan Jamaal Swain and Troian Bellisario in addition to Sports Illustrated model, Hunter McGrady.
‘“Amidst the COVID-19 crisis LA Family Housing remains open and committed to supporting our homeless neighbors,' Bellisario said in a post to her 12.6 million followers. ‘But we can’t do it alone. You can help provide meals, supply disease prevention items [and] equip our outreach team. Donate today.’”
LAFH has implemented several structural/safety protocols in its programming to address coronavirus, including educational outreach on the street, protective safety equipment, necessary quarantine areas, hot meals distributed daily and laptops to families with children.
March 23, 2020
Coronavirus: LA County opens up temporary shelters to house homeless
Parks and gym recreational facilities across Los Angeles have been closed down and transformed into temporary housing for Homeless neighbors.
Facilities are fully staffed including medical personnel providing regular health evaluations and temperature check-ups to shelter participants; and buses that pick-up individuals looking for shelter. Only residents and staff are allowed inside shelters.
“As of Monday afternoon, there are eight centers opened across the area with early numbers indicating about 1,600 people could be housed.”
March 22, 2020
‘You know about the coronavirus?’ Homeless outreach workers have a new reason to worry
LA Family Housing outreach coordinator Eric Montoya, right, interviews homeless man Patrick Moran, who is camped in the Sepulveda Basin in Encino. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The effects of COVID-19 and the fear of transmitting it to vulnerable populations, like individuals experiencing homeless, has encouraged service staff to adhere to new safety protocols.
“Throughout Los Angeles, outreach workers such as Montoya and Green Team members are still trying to understand how to do their work in this time of pandemic.”
Safety equipment and preventative supplies are in short supply as service providers scrounge for availability in an effort to slow the spread and contain the outbreak.
“Last week, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the city would convert 42 recreation centers into temporary shelters, providing 6,000 new beds …”