Medical complications from her pregnancy caused Destiny Ruiz to take an extended leave from work — mostly without pay.
That left her three months behind in her rent. Fearful of starting a family without a home, she found Valley Oasis Family Solutions Center in the Antelope Valley. They paid her past-due rent and provided her with five months of additional rental assistance.
“Because of their support, I was able to remain in my home, focus on my health and prepare for the birth of my baby without the constant fear of becoming homeless,” she said.
Many have received help that prevented them from living on the street, going without food, or remaining without a job from one of eight Family Solutions Centers, known as FSCs, located across Los Angeles County.
But due to last year’s federal and state cutbacks to homelessness services, housing programs and federal healthcare, FSCs were facing closure.
Even after two departments in L.A. County, the Homeless Services & Housing Department (HSH) and the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) began chipping in, the heads of these county departments realized they could only keep the FSCs doors open for a short period.
About $1.375 million from HSH and $625,000 from DPSS would help keep them open for a little while but it wasn’t enough, officials said.
So the two found a rapid supply of cash from private philanthropic associations — the Home for Good Funders Collaborative joined with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles which led the effort to provide $680,600 to community-based providers that operate FSCs in Metro Los Angeles, Southeast L.A., the Westside, South Bay, Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley.
The extra boost from the United Way and its affiliates, combined with the $2 million from the two county departments, will keep eight centers open through the end of the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2027.
“HSH was established on the belief that we can achieve better outcomes when we work together across systems instead of in silos,” said Sarah Mahin, director of HSH. “Our partnership with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles and DPSS reflects that commitment.”
The Family Solutions Centers often work with many agencies and nonprofits to receive funding. The recent partnership with HSH, DPSS and United Way is just an extension of working outside the box.
“Lasting solutions require strong partnerships. Family Solutions Centers embody that collaborative approach, coordinating access to housing, public benefits, employment services, and community-based supports. No family should have to navigate this alone,” said Jackie Contreras, director of DPSS.