One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. Home Again LA is changing the narrative around homelessness by recognizing it as a situational crisis, not a personal failure. Through innovative partnerships with faith-based organizations, corporations, and community agencies, HALA has helped over 600 families transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing while building resilience and hope.

Albert Hernandez, CEO of Home Again LA, shares his personal journey from a family on the brink of homelessness to leading one of the most impactful nonprofits serving unhoused families in Los Angeles County.

Albert's Personal Story

• One of 11 siblings raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles
• Father passed away when Albert was 14; mother worked two jobs to support the family
• Started working at Boys and Girls Club at age 14 with a 4.0 GPA
• Every paycheck went to help his mother with rent, food, and family necessities
• Worked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years before joining Home Again LA as CEO in July 2015

The Homelessness Crisis

• Most Angelenos are one paycheck away from homelessness
• Post-pandemic cost of living increases:
  • Food costs have doubled
  • 1-bedroom rent: $1,800 → $2,400–$2,500/month
• Families have deep roots in Los Angeles County and often cannot simply "move elsewhere"
• The unhoused community is vastly misunderstood

Home Again LA's Core Programs

1. Emergency Shelter (Core Program)

• 90-day program for families with children experiencing homelessness
• Operates like a "boot camp"—fast-paced, goal-oriented
• Average turnaround: 54 days to permanent housing
• Congregations provide overnight housing (6 PM–7 AM)
• Day center offers showers, laundry, job training, case management, Wi-Fi
• Key requirement: Children must be enrolled in school and attending regularly
• Serves families fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing job loss/income disruption

2. Rapid Rehousing Program

• 6-month program (launched 2017)
• Our organization pays a portion of the security deposit and rent
  • Month 1: 90% of rent
  • Month 2: 80% of rent
  • Gradually decreases so family takes over 100% by end of program
• Results: 471 families served; all but 2 successfully took over their leases
• 12-month follow-up support to ensure housing stability

3. Eviction Prevention Program

• Started during the pandemic
• Provides financial assistance for families with rental arrears
• Includes employment support and financial stability planning
• Impact (2020–2021): Leveraged over $2 million in federal, state, and county funding
• Continues today as cost-of-living crisis persists

4. Financial Education/Outreach Program

• Classes on credit vs. debit, building emergency savings, understanding interest rates
• Partnership with Operation Hope for homeownership certification classes
• Success story: 3 families who were living in their cars are now homeowners

5. After-School Care Partnership

• Partnership with local Boys and Girls Club
• Scholarships for all families' children
• Allows parents to work full 8-hour shifts (pickup as late as 5–7 PM)
• Critical for parental employment stability

THE FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIP MODEL

• Origins: Founded in 2008 by faith-based community members who recognized the fastest-growing unhoused population was families with children
• No dedicated shelter facility — congregations provide evening beds (6 PM–7 AM)
• Parishioner involvement: Provide meals, homework tutoring, mock interviews, emotional support
• Corporate partnerships: Walt Disney Company, Logix Federal Credit Union, National Charity League (mothers & daughters volunteer group)
• Not a faith-based organization — rather, a secular nonprofit that works alongside faith communities
• Impact: 90% of graduating families report that "being treated like any other community member" was the most impactful part of the program

AHA MOMENTS The Estrada Family Story

• Single mother and teenage son fleeing domestic violence
• Mother had zero credit history — no credit card, apartment, or vehicle in her name
• She was "invisible" to the housing system
• Required 116 days in shelter (vs. typical 90 days)
• Successfully housed; son is now in college and volunteers for program participants
• Lesson: No credit history is worse than bad credit; flexibility and advocacy are essential

BEST PRACTICES HIGHLIGHTED

1. Quality over Quantity: Focus on compassionate, individualized care rather than serving maximum numbers
2. Treat the nonprofit like a business: Sustainable fundraising, financial reserves, and operational planning are non-negotiable
3. Collaboration is essential: Leverage partnerships with Boys and Girls Club, financial institutions, corporations, and faith organizations
4. It takes a village: No single entity can solve homelessness; success requires community infrastructure
5. Flexibility within structure: Accountability (school attendance, job seeking) balanced with compassion for unique circumstances
6. 12-month follow-up: Maintain relationships post-housing to ensure long-term stability
7. Treat people with dignity: Break bread together; ask "How can we help?" not "How did you fail?"

ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Challenge: Landlord hesitancy to rent to formerly unhoused families Solution: Education, advocacy letters, and relationship-building. Today, landlords proactively call HALA when units become available.

Challenge: After-school childcare prevents parents from working full shifts Solution: Partnership with Boys and Girls Club providing scholarships for all families' children.

Challenge: Pandemic-era income loss and rental arrears Solution: Eviction Prevention Program leveraging $2M+ in government grants (2020–2021).

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Website: HomeAgainLA.org Phone: (818) 562-7778 Services Available:

• Emergency shelter for families with children
• Rapid rehousing assistance
• Eviction prevention support
• Financial education classes
• Employment support and job training
• Volunteer opportunities
• Facility tours

Ways to Help:

• Donate to support families
• Volunteer with congregations or corporate teams
• Host a meal or tutoring session
• Provide job training or mock interviews
• Become a landlord partner

NOTABLE QUOTES

"One of the biggest travesties in our country is the number of unhoused individuals and families. We are a developed country, after all, and often fail to take care of our own." — Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff

"Most of us are a paycheck away from losing our homes. The reality is, we're just trying to survive." — Albert Hernandez

"It's not a handout. There are some requirements. The family has to have some skin in the game." — Albert Hernandez

"Being treated like any other member of this community was the most impactful part of the process." — 90% of HALA graduates

"They're not just making and serving dinner. They're actually breaking bread with the family." — Albert Hernandez, on volunteers

RECOMMENDED LISTENING FOR

• Nonprofit leaders and staff
• Social entrepreneurs and business leaders
• Faith community organizers
• Policymakers addressing homelessness
• Corporate volunteer coordinators
• Anyone interested in community-based solutions to homelessness
• Job seekers and career counselors

Listen to the entire episode at SmallandGutsy.org