HACLA Receives Recognition for Efforts to End Homelessness (watch video)

December 9, 2008, Los Angeles – The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles was recognized by Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina for its ardent efforts to decrease homelessness in Los Angles through the Los Angeles County Skid Row Demonstration Project. The HACLA has issued 228 housing vouchers to homeless families and individuals helping nearly 700 children and 300 adults get off skid row into permanent housing.

In support of the Mayor’s efforts to serve the homeless people in Los Angeles, and HACLA's commitment to be part of the solution to end homelessness, HACLA contributed 300 vouchers for the Skid Row Families Demonstration Project designed to move homeless families with children away from Skid Row into permanent housing.

Several organizations took part in the project including Beyond Shelter.

“After working in this field for over 30 years, to be able to partner with Los Angeles County and HACLA has been an incredible experience because only with that kind of collaboration are we able to work with all the partners who impact these families’ lives and help them directly,” said Tanya Tull, President and CEO of Beyond Shelter.

Through the joint efforts of all participating organizations, HACLA was able to help approximately 1,000 people to get off the streets of downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. The program was initiated in 2005 by Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina to help get children and families off of downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. Families living in Skid Row are provided with intensive case management and connected with an array of services, ranging from food stamps, hotel vouchers to mental health services, substance abuse treatment. In addition, the program requires that every child encountered by the team be assessed for DCFS intervention and appropriately referred. Eligible families are enrolled in the CalWORKs programs and provided with emergency, transitional, and permanent housing as soon as possible.