August 29, 2022

Seven Hawthorne Residents experiencing homelessness have finally been provided permanent housing.  All people experiencing homelessness, some  for over 10yrs, are recipients of a LACDA (Los Angeles County Dept. Authority) emergency section 8 voucher.  These Hawthorne residents lived outdoors, in their car, park benches and freeway under paths.  Having keys to their apartment and calling it home, provides a sense of safety instantly.  They have been part of Hawthorne's Homeless Coordination Program since 2019. Most were matched to a Hawthorne city voucher but chose to port out to Los Angeles due to a broader option.

 While receiving intense case management services from Dulce Medina, their assigned case manager at the Hawthorne Homeless Program, weekly to monthly meetings were scheduled for wellness checks, deadlines for required paper work, assessments, housing navigation and other.  Most clients required documentation that they did not posses.  The process of getting them "document ready" began.  ID's, SS cards, birth certificates, income verification and background checks are some of the emergency housing voucher requirements.  The process took approximately over one year.  Applications were first submitted back June 2021.  Once approved, clients attended a briefing or voucher issuance, collected vouchers and the housing navigation began (looking for apartments).  While the tedious process took place Hawthorne residents remained living outdoors, some were placed in shelters or interim housing facilities.

 3 females (1 senior) and  4 males (1 senior) were housed.

 Special Thank you's to St. Margaret's Center for the non-perishable food items and Trinity Lutheran Church in Hawthorne for welcome baskets filled with a pillow and comforter.