HACLA and Mayor Bass Launch AmeriCorps Initiative to Prevent Homelessness Recurrence and Build LA’s Next Generation of Public Service Leaders

Housing Authority Secures $1.1 Million in funding to support the launch of Inaugural AmeriCorps Program

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Los Angeles, CA - Amidst a shifting landscape of federal housing support, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) today celebrated a landmark expansion of its service capacity. Joined by Mayor Karen Bass, the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, California Volunteers, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, HACLA officially launched its inaugural AmeriCorps program, swearing in 20 dedicated members acting as front-line defenders against the city's housing crisis.

The launch comes at a critical juncture. In response to the early sunset of the federal Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, these AmeriCorps members will provide the "connective tissue" required to ensure families navigating the transition remain securely housed. By integrating national service into the city's housing infrastructure, HACLA is ensuring that vulnerable residents do not fall through the cracks.

"Staying housed is just the first step," said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, HACLA President and CEO. "Through this AmeriCorps partnership, we are ensuring families move beyond survival and toward economic mobility. I am inspired by the energy of these members and confident their service will provide the stability our communities need to thrive."

To meet the challenges of the moment, HACLA's AmeriCorps Members are being deployed across three key areas where their impact will be immediate:

1. Section 8 Program Offices: Members will help expand HACLA's capacity at our Mid-City and South Bay offices, ensuring administrative hurdles never become the reason a family loses their home.

2. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Communities: Members will help provide digital literacy and life skills to support people transitioning from the streets into stable housing.

3. WorkSource Centers: In places like the Watts/LA WorkSource Center, Members will help lead the charge for economic mobility, giving residents the tools-from resume building to digital coaching-to help achieve long-term financial security.

In a moving display of commitment, Mayor Karen Bass led the cohort in the official AmeriCorps Pledge. The 20 new members-including those like Nicholas Golowko, who shared moving testimony on the transformative power of service-vowed to take action in the face of apathy and persevere through adversity.

"It was my honor to swear in the inaugural class of HACLA AmeriCorps volunteers - the next generation of leaders who will urgently tackle the need for affordable housing here in Los Angeles," said Mayor Bass. "Housing stability is more than a roof over someone's head, it's about having the services needed to thrive. By bringing together innovative, wrap-around resources, we are ensuring Angelenos can be housed and stay in the City they love. I want to thank HACLA President and CEO Lourdes Castro Ramirez, the Governor's Office, California Volunteers and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for making this partnership possible. Congratulations to this year's AmeriCorps volunteers."

Beyond immediate crisis intervention, the program serves as a professional pipeline. By equipping local youth with specialized case-management skills and institutional knowledge, HACLA is cultivating the next generation of public sector leaders.

"These AmeriCorps members represent a vision for Los Angeles' future, one where service, housing, and opportunity come together to strengthen communities and shape a more equitable city," said Josh Fryday, California's Chief Service Officer and GO-Serve Director. "Through this partnership with HACLA, AmeriCorps members will support individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity with the resources they need to thrive, while preparing for meaningful careers in public service and beyond."

The program highlights how service transforms the provider as much as the recipient. For members like AmeriCorps Alumnus Elder Sanabria, this initiative represents a lifelong commitment to social equity and a direct pathway into permanent civic careers.

As one of only two organizations selected statewide for this landmark opportunity, HACLA has built a remarkable funding partnership that leverages federal, state, and philanthropic resources to ensure that our AmeriCorps members are well-equipped and positioned to succeed. We are grateful to AmeriCorps, California Volunteers, United Way and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for their support. This program reflects a proactive response to a changing federal funding landscape and underscores the power of public-private partnership to drive meaningful impact.

"We're proud to support this innovative program to improve service delivery for individuals and families exiting homelessness, while also preparing the next generation of service leaders," said Christina Miller, Senior Program Officer with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. "Our partners at HACLA continue to demonstrate their commitment to building a skilled, knowledgeable workforce that's equipped to address the needs of our unhoused neighbors."

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About HACLA

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), established in 1938, provides affordable housing, rental assistance, and supportive services to more than 200,000 Angelenos. Its administrative portfolio includes 164 properties - 12 of which are public housing developments - totaling over 12,000 units, along with more than 60,000 Housing Vouchers and Certificates through the Section 8 program. For more information, visit www.hacla.org.

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