This first-of-its-kind partnership in L.A. aims to bring technical caregiver training and supportive in-home services for older adults living in permanent supportive housing to prevent reentry to homelessness
Los Angeles, CA (November 12, 2025) — In a bold and transformative move for senior care, United Way of Greater Los Angeles and San Francisco-based nonprofit Homebridge have partnered to launch the Permanent Supportive Housing Caregiver Training Program, a first of its kind in Los Angeles County.
This one-year pilot will equip up to 100 caregivers with technical training to better support housing-insecure older adults living in permanent supportive housing. The program aims to improve accessibility, quality, and consistency of care, helping residents maintain housing stability and reducing the risk of them returning to homelessness.
California is facing a severe care crisis. Currently, nearly 159,000 adults over the age of 65 in Los Angeles County rely on In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Many of these clients struggle with navigating a tangled web of challenges to secure reliable support. For older adults transitioning out of homelessness or living in permanent supportive housing, the search for a caregiver can take up to two years. Additionally, turnover for caregiver placements is higher than for any other IHSS position, exacerbating systemic issues and threatening access to care that all people deserve.
The Permanent Supportive Housing Caregiver Training Program will bridge this critical gap through 26 hours of intensive instruction on 16 specialized courses designed for IHSS caregivers working with the most at-risk populations. Program participants will dive into topics such as harm reduction strategies, de-escalation techniques, body mechanics, transfers, and lifts. These courses equip caregivers with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of mental health challenges and substance use issues faced by housing-insecure older adults
“This program is about more than just training. It speaks to a larger movement advocating for systemic change in how we approach elder in-home supportive services by creating a culture of care,” said Min Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Homebridge. “By investing in the education of caregivers, Homebridge and UWGLA are setting the stage for a future where individuals can thrive in inclusive communities, with access to the consistent and compassionate care that’s a human right.”
“Many older adults in supportive housing who experienced homelessness have limited social networks and often struggle to find non-family caregivers who are willing to provide services. This is particularly the case with Black and Latino older adults, who also experience higher rates of chronic health conditions compared to other racial and ethnic groups,” said Derric Johnson, Vice President of Impact and Equity of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. “This pilot aims to create a network of caregivers that are more directly connected to permanent supportive housing tenants, influence system improvements to prevent premature or unnecessary transitions to institutional settings or reentry to homelessness.”
About 43% of older adults experiencing housing insecurity report difficulty with at least one daily activity, such as bathing and cooking. Most IHSS clients rely on family or friends for care. For older adults in permanent supportive housing, those networks are often gone. Caseworkers and families often step in, sometimes without proper training and support.
In Los Angeles, thousands of individuals—including working families, students living below the poverty line, and retired seniors without a financial safety net—face housing insecurity every day. United Way of Greater Los Angeles responds by investing in daytime service centers and enhancing shelter spaces that provide temporary relief—along with stability, dignity, and a chance to rebuild for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, including seniors.
This partnership with Homebridge responds to immediate need while taking a proactive stance towards a brighter future for older adults living in permanent supportive housing – ensuring they have access to a pipeline of qualified caregivers. By addressing the training gap through sustainable solutions, Homebridge and United Way are championing a vision where all older adults have access to dignity and care, fortified by a well-trained workforce that understands the unique dynamics of the community. With trained, supported caregivers, older adults can live safely, with dignity, and without the risk of returning to homelessness.
About United Way of Greater Los Angeles
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is one of LA’s most trusted nonprofits, uniting people and resources to create pathways from poverty to prosperity for all people in the Los Angeles region to thrive. Learn more at www.unitedwayla.org.
About Homebridge
Homebridge is a national leader in home care, caregiver support, and caregiver career development. Since 1985, Homebridge has provided home and community-based care in the San Francisco Bay Area to individuals with complex health, behavioral, and social needs, preventing institutionalization and homelessness. Learn more about Homebridge online at homebridgeca.org.
Media contacts:
Esmeralda Fabian Romero
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
efabianromero@unitedwayla.org, 562-445-1052.
Brianna Claggett
Homebridge Marketing & Communications Manager
bclaggett@homebridgeca.org, 415-314-8399.