L.A. Care Awards $200,000 to Brilliant Corners to Transition Homeless Individuals into Permanent Housing

Los Angeles — L.A. Care Health Plan today announced it has awarded $200,000 to Brilliant Corners, a nonprofit agency with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, to help transition 100 homeless individuals – including L.A. Care members – with complex physical and behavioral health conditions into permanent supportive housing.

This initiative, in collaboration with the Housing for Health division of Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), aligns with L.A. Care’s mission to provide high quality and coordinated care to vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County.

“With the homelessness rate reaching an all-time high in L.A. County, it’s more critical than ever that all stakeholders come together to tackle this problem at every level,” said John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan. “And we know that a person’s health and well-being starts with stable housing, so we’re committed to working closely with Brilliant Corners and DHS to assist the homeless population.”

"Homelessness is a public health emergency that demands creative partnerships bridging the housing and health care sectors," said William Pickel, Executive Director of Brilliant Corners. "L.A. Care's support for the purchase of household goods and other move-in necessities will enable formerly homeless individuals to feel at home right away, and that leads to long-term housing stability and better health outcomes." 

"Our efforts to end homelessness would not be possible without support from partners like L.A. Care. Move-in assistance acts as a linchpin in our work – it literally unlocks the door to housing," said Mark Ghaly, Deputy Director, Community Health of the Los Angeles County Health Agency. 

L.A. Care’s move-in assistance funds will allow Brilliant Corners and DHS to cover a security deposit, utilities, household goods, durable medical equipment and other necessities to ensure a smooth transition from homelessness to housing and, consequently, help improve housing retention rates. Additionally, all 100 housed individuals will be connected to a system of care that includes intensive case management services for any physical, behavioral health and substance abuse disorder needs.

From 2013 to 2015, L.A. County saw a 12% increase in the number of persons experiencing homelessness. In response to the escalating issue, DHS has launched the nation’s largest supportive housing program linked to a health care system, which aims to create 10,000 units of supportive housing.