LOS ANGELES — Today, Councilmember Hernandez announced that funding has been secured to support a new shelter dedicated to serving Transition Age Youth (TAY), expanding critical resources for young people experiencing homelessness. Councilmember Hernandez shared that Safe Place for Youth (SPY), a leading provider of youth homelessness services, will be contracted to operate the site.
The new site will provide 49 beds for Transition Age Youth and represents an investment of $1,036,784 in housing and support services. This investment is part of a broader effort to expand interim and permanent housing capacity and maintain continuity of services across Los Angeles’ homelessness response system. Interim housing sites provide immediate, low-barrier shelter paired with critical services such as case management, counseling, and pathways to permanent housing.
“Transition Age Youth face unique challenges, and this new site will provide not just a bed, but access to critical services that help them move forward with dignity and opportunity,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. “I’m grateful for Safe Place for Youth’s dedication and expertise and proud to partner with them to expand access to safe, supportive housing, ensuring young people have the resources they need to move toward permanent housing and long-term success.”
Safe Place for Youth will operate the site using a trauma-informed, youth-centered model, offering services tailored to the unique needs of young adults, including support for education, employment, and long-term housing placement. The shelter is expected to open in Summer 2026.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Council District 1 to launch a 49-bed youth shelter with wraparound supportive services, and bring vulnerable young people indoors,” said Erika Hartman, Chief Executive Officer of Safe Place for Youth. “This initiative is not just about providing beds—it’s about restoring dignity, building trust, and creating the real futures that young people in our community deserve.”
Since taking office, Councilmember Hernandez has taken a multi-faceted approach to tackling homelessness in District 1. This new program reflects her continued commitment to scaling targeted interventions for vulnerable populations, including youth, and strengthening partnerships with experienced service providers to deliver effective, responsive care.