Stepping Stones to Safe Shelter

Affordable housing and homelessness

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Youth homelessness is a critical issue in Los Angeles. The persistence of youth homelessness highlights systemic failures and the lack of affordable housing within the city. Despite extended foster care funding to age 21, many youth still face housing instability upon exiting the system. LA County, having one of the largest foster care populations in the United States, sees 20% of youth exiting foster care experience homelessness within four years. Research shows that up to 50% of chronically homeless adults were homeless as youth, emphasizing the need for early intervention. Even a short period on the streets can be traumatic, making the prevention of youth homelessness essential for the well-being of youth exiting care and others at risk. In turn, this early prevention is key for the health of all Los Angeles.

SPY’s Emergency Housing Program, Stepping Stones, prevents youth homelessness by immediately providing shelter to youth aging out of the child welfare system and other unsupported youth and young adults (ages 18-24) in need of housing: It is the only program of its kind in LA. Twenty-four youth at a time are housed for up to 3 months and receive on-site, 24-hour support, and other wrap-around services. During bi-weekly Case Manager check-ins, participants complete a housing plan, which often includes referrals to SPY’s longer-term housing, family reunification counseling, and/or other options that fit the youth’s goals. Case Managers also connect youth to SPY’s Education and Employment specialists, mental health clinicians, and other supports. By first addressing their urgent housing needs, the program allows youth to stabilize during this critical transition period, before more negative health or social outcomes linked with homelessness take hold. The story of Tysaiah describes the program best: Tysaiah had aged out of the child welfare system during the pandemic, and without intervention would have exited to homelessness. When SPY staff learned about Tysaiah, they quickly moved him into Stepping Stones. Supported by his case manager and SPY’s wraparound services team, Tysaiah enrolled in college to pursue his associate degree. He also obtained his housing voucher, and moved into a sustainable home in the community.

To achieve the worthy goals of LA2050 -- to make LA the best place to connect, create, learn, live, and play – requires exiting youth from the streets. This follows Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, emphasizing physiological wellness (food, hygiene, clothing) and safety before other fulfillment. It must start with youth, to stop further trauma and to avoid their becoming chronically homeless. Swift exit from the streets, guaranteed nutritious meals and wrap-around support enable youth to avoid further trauma, stabilize their health, gain education and/or employment and be part of a thriving LA.
We envision a socially just world where all young people lead safe, stable, self-directed lives. Continuing this program helps stop the pipeline to homelessness, with immediate benefits for the youth and long-term benefits for Los Angeles. The program also serves as a model, and encourages more such programs, so all can participate in a better LA in 2050.

Stepping Stones was launched at the end of 2021 when more than 1,000 youth in LA County aged out of foster care at the end of COVID relief funds. Working with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the County Board of Supervisors, LA Homeless Services Authority, and corporate and private donors, SPY launched Stepping Stones and quickly housed 32 youth- 100% of residents moved into transitional or permanent housing within 18 months. Due to its success, the program continued as a two year demonstration project. SPY still reserves beds for referrals from DCFS and the program has expanded to provide housing for other at-risk youth. In 2023, Stepping Stones prevented 78 youth from becoming homeless. We measure our impact by the number of youth housed, and the number who move to alternative housing options. We also listen to the youth we serve, like Tysaiah who said, “What I love about this place, is the support. The support is out of this world.”