May 3, 2023
Transforming the lives of people experiencing homelessness
Kaiser Permanente recognizes that safe, affordable housing is crucial to improving the health of members and communities.
Mayor of LA Karen Bass and John Yamamoto, VP of Community Health and Government Relations for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, at the grand opening.
The Dolores Huerta Apartments, the first permanent supportive housing building funded by the SDS Supportive Housing Fund, officially opened.
The 40-unit apartment complex was built with a $6.6 million investment from the SDS Supportive Housing Fund and uses zero taxpayer dollars for land acquisition or construction. Each unit includes a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. The average underwritten all-in development cost per unit is $230,000, significantly less than the $600,000 average unit costs for similar units in the market.
The apartments are named in honor of Dolores Huerta, a prominent voice for social justice and workers' rights in the United States.
Making investments in affordable housing
The grand opening of the Dolores Huerta Apartments highlights Kaiser Permanente's investment of $50 million to address chronic homelessness.
The grand opening of the Dolores Huerta Apartments highlights Kaiser Permanente's investment of $50 million to address chronic homelessness.
“There is an acute need for more affordable housing in California, including permanent supportive housing to help those who need assistance to stay housed,” said John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health and Government Relations for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. “Stable quality housing is fundamental to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. That is why Kaiser Permanente is committed to social impact investments that catalyze innovative approaches to increase and accelerate the production of more affordable housing, as well as reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness.”
The $185 million SDS Supportive Housing Fund is on track to finance approximately 30 projects that will result in the construction of an estimated 2,500 permanent supportive housing units over the next 6 years.
Innovative partnerships to address homelessness
Kaiser Permanente is an investor in the SDS Supportive Housing Fund, committing $50 million from its Thriving Communities Impact Investment Fund to provide affordable housing and end homelessness. Kaiser Permanente leads an array of efforts to end homelessness and preserve affordable housing through strategic impact investments and philanthropic grant-making, and by shaping policy and forming innovative partnerships.
Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care Services will provide case management and counseling services for 39 qualified tenants at Dolores Huerta Apartments. A HOPICS case manager will live onsite to support tenants.
Kaiser Permanente’s focus on creating affordable housing is critical to its ongoing mission to improve health outcomes in the communities it serves.
