The Imagine LA SSFH program tries to catch families before they have spiraled too far down and give them a long-term lift up.  Imagine LA works with Agencies providing transitional housing or shelter (our Transitional Housing Partners) to indentify appropriate families before they have to move to the next temporary place.  They find us families with working parents that ultimately have the ability to earn enough to pay rent but given their current lack of funds, probably overdue debt, bad credit, eviction history, and find themselves in a no-win situation.

In partnership with a Faith Community, the Imagine LA SSHP Program gets the family into an apartment they can afford long-term with mentoring and case management that will help them get the life skills they need to live a productive, independent and hope filled life.   The apartment is secured by providing the initial lease costs and a guarantee.  In addition, there is a sliding scale rent subsidy over the first year to give the family breathing space to pay off debts and get the job training they need.  The Faith Community also moves the family in and provides furniture and other necessities to insure that the family can focus on getting their lives back together and feeling a sense of home (as opposed to finding and paying for beds, a pan, some towels etc.). 

Each Family has a two year Independent Living Plan & Budget (ILP&B) that becomes both the case manager and the Faith Community's blueprint for working with the Family.  The ILP&B identifies volunteer appropriate activities that teach basic life skills, provide mentoring and enrichment activities, provide and access to resources the families would not otherwise have.  For example, volunteers help with weekly meal planning, shopping and preparation which are beneficial to the family from a nutritional perspective, a budget perspective and a family relationship building perspective.  Each member of the family is provided a mentor that helps them achieve their goals, potential (like getting into college or getting a better job) and have some fun - like learning to swim!  Many families do not have cars and therefore volunteers can help with transportation.

Imagine LA families are required to work diligently (weekly) on their budget; both tracking and accounting for all expenses.  This is done with their case manager or a designated volunteer.     

In the world of family homelessness today, besides employment, the three largest barriers to achieving lasting independence are the initial cost of obtaining housing, actually securing housing (especially with a record of an eviction or bad credit), and acquiring and maintaining the basic skills and discipline of a self-sufficient life.  The Imagine LA SSFH model addresses these barriers and gives Faith Communities an opportunity to participate in charity that begets real change, not just momentary relief.

Imagine LA gives Faith Communities an opportunity to participate in Charity that begets real change, not just momentary relief.