Headquarters

Beyond Shelter maintains numerous program sites throughout Los Angeles County. The main headquarters is located in Los Angeles at:

1200 Wilshire Boulevard,   Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Tel:   (213) 252-0772
Fax:  (213) 480-0846

Major Programs & Departments
 

Beyond Shelter employs over 80 staff members and has a year 2008 operating budget of approximately $5.1 million.
 

Beyond Shelter's key programs are:
 

"Housing First" for Homeless Families

Homeless families are referred to Beyond Shelter's "Housing First" Program by over 60 agencies from throughout L.A. County. Once enrolled, families are assigned a case manager, who works closely with the Housing Resources Department to move families directly into affordable rental housing in a residential neighborhood of their choice. Once in their new housing, the formerly homeless family is introduced to their new neighborhood – its shopping, transportation and community services, and school-age children are enrolled in school. During the six to 12 months after the move, the case manager provides individualized, supportive social services to help each family move toward stability and independence.

Housing Resources Department

Beyond Shelter's Housing Resources Department assists homeless families enrolled in the "Housing First" Program to access and move into permanent, affordable housing. Housing Resources Specialists seek out property owners and managers willing to rent to families who might not otherwise qualify for leases. Staff assist with lease negotiations, educate tenants regarding their rights and responsibilities and maintain relationships with landlords so that crisis intervention can occur immediately and a recurrence of homelessness can be averted. Both the City and County of Los Angeles allocate Section 8 rental assistance vouchers to Beyond Shelter each year for families in need of an ongoing housing subsidy.

Rental Assistance Department

Beyond Shelter’s Rental Assistance Department serves as the Central Coordinating Agency for numerous rental assistance programs throughout Los Angeles County. Over 60 agencies refer eligible clients to Beyond Shelter for emergency funds offered through two main programs: the Emergency Housing Assistance Program and the Rent to Prevent Eviction Program. The Emergency Housing Assistance Program, sponsored by the Emergency Food and Shelter Board, has two components: (1) move-in assistance for homeless families and disabled individuals, and (2) move-in and rent-to-prevent eviction assistance. As part of the Rent to Prevent Eviction Program sponsored by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA), Beyond Shelter coordinates funds for families and disabled individuals who are currently in housing, but are at risk of becoming homeless.

Employment Services Department

In an era of welfare reform, Beyond Shelter's Employment Services Department seeks to help families become self-sufficient and off of government assistance. In addition to job placement support, an array of services is available to help clients reach their goals, including access to job listings, computers for their job search, and tutorials in typing and basic skills. Under Beyond Shelter's "team approach," a case manager and employment counselor work collaboratively on a client's behalf. This methodology was part of a 30-month Welfare-to-Work Demonstration Project by the U.S. Department of Labor from 1999-2001.

Courtyard Apartments Family Shelter

Opened in 2001, the Courtyard Apartments Family Shelter provides 35-40 homeless families per year with safe, temporary emergency shelter for 60-90 days, until permanent housing is found. Each family living at the shelter occupies one of 14 one- or two-bedroom units available, which are equipped with a private kitchen and bathroom. Courtyard features an outdoor play area, central courtyard, food pantry, clothing closet and laundry facilities.

Service-Enriched Housing

Service-enriched housing represents the incorporation of "services coordination" into affordable rental housing for the low-income population at-large, not necessarily targeted to those who are at-risk or with special needs. Beyond Shelter's service-enriched apartment complexes located in Central and South Los Angeles have provided the agency with a "laboratory" to test and refine this methodology. The properties include access to social services provided by an services coordinator, who oversees the provision of crisis intervention and case management services. Additionally, each service-enriched site has community rooms for classes and meetings. Resident management committees actively participate in many areas of operation and in the coordination of activities.

Broadway South Neighborhood Revitalization Project

Beyond Shelter is leading a major Neighborhood Revitalization Project in South Los Angeles, which developed after the Civil Unrest in 1992, in response to critical housing and social services shortages in the area. In 1993 Beyond Shelter initiated the project with the development of Umoja Apartments (House of Unity), a 30-unit service-enriched housing complex which opened in 1996. In 2001, Beyond Shelter opened Broadway Village I, a one-stop, multi-service center which includes the Beyond Shelter Family Services Center, the Drew Child Development Center and a newly built 16-unit service-enriched housing complex which opened in July 2004. In 2006, Beyond Shelter opened Broadway Village II - a 50-unit service-enriched, affordable housing unit for low-income families, which also includes a library and conference and community rooms.

Beyond Shelter
Housing Development Corporation

The Beyond Shelter Housing Development Corp. is the development affiliate of Beyond Shelter, developing, managing and operating affordable housing and neighborhood resource centers in low-income neighborhoods, with a focus on service-enriched housing. BSHDC has developed several service-enriched and mixed-use housing projects primarily in Central and South Los Angeles, with additional projects in early stages of development. Each housing site offers a variety of programs for adults and children, including parenting and adult education seminars, as well as tutoring, enrichment and after-school activities.

The Institute for Research,
Training and Technical Assistance

Beyond Shelter's Institute for Research, Training and Technical Assistance conducts national and regional workshops; provides training and consulting services; and develops and distributes Beyond Shelter publications to share information with others and to promote systemic change.

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