mderrick, Neighbor

MISSION

The mission of Upward Bound House is to eliminate homelessness among families with children in Los Angeles by providing housing, supportive services, and advocacy.

OUR IMPACT

Upward Bound House has established an extraordinary record of success in addressing family homelessness. Since 1997, we have helped more than 900 families including over 1,682 children to transition from homelessness and into permanent housing. Over 95% of these families were still in their homes more than a year after placement. In 2013, our programs assisted 106 families to achieve a positive housing outcome. Currently, the program serves approximately 175 families per year.

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) 2013 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Report, 7,391 family members – including nearly 5,000 children – are homeless in Los Angeles County. 31% of these homeless families are now unsheltered on any given night in Los Angeles.

Reports from other entities that serve famililes living in poverty suggest that this count is understated. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) classified 12,932 families in LA County as homeless in May 2013. And, according to the Los Angeles Unified School District, 57,611 students were eligible for homeless assistance during the 2011 – 2012 school year.

OUR PROGRAMS

We strive to reduce the number of homeless families with minor children who are hungry and living on the streets of Los Angeles, helping them to access basic resources and successfully transition into their own homes with the capacity to remain there through the following programs:

o Family Shelter, located in Culver City, consists of 18 efficiency units and provides short-term housing for families in crisis. Families receive case management services focused on addressing their immediate needs as well as housing assistance and may stay in the program for up to 150 days.

o Family Place, located in Santa Monica, consists of 21 one-bedroom apartments and provides medium-term housing for families in transition to permanent housing. On average, families reside in the program for six to eight months.

o Our Rapid Rehousing programs move families into permanent housing as quickly as possible then gives them comprehensive services in their homes, to address the barriers to family well-being and independent living they may have had. The programs provide financial assistance such as security deposit, first and last month’s rent, utility deposits, etc., which are known to be the primary barriers families face when they are moving into permanent housing.