📍 Los Angeles County, California
CASH LA
Direct Cash to Prevent Youth Homelessness in Los Angeles
Bryan Sánchez-Piñeda, CASH LA recipient
What is CASH LA?
CASH LA (Cash Assistance Supporting Housing) is a groundbreaking homelessness prevention program in Los Angeles designed to improve housing stability, food security, empowerment, and general well-being for young people at imminent risk of losing housing in Los Angeles County.
How It Works
1.
100+ eligible young adults (ages 18-30) meet with a local trained provider to create a customized “Housing Action Plan” that identifies housing solutions, a budget, and their next steps to execute the plan.
2.
Once the plan has been approved, the participants receive a one-time cash payment that is tailored to support their plan.
3.
Recipients also have access to supportive services like financial planning and budgeting while enrolled in the program.
UPDATESExpanding in 2026 to Meet Surging Demand & Support More Youth
CASH LA’s first phase is coming to a close, led by our incredible partner AMAAD. During this phase, the need for direct cash support was far greater than what current resources could meet — showing just how critical this program is for young people in Los Angeles.
Because of AMAAD’s success and the clear demand, we’re expanding the program with a new phase launching in Spring 2026. This next chapter will be a collaboration between Safe Place for Youth (SPY), the Hilton Foundation, private donors Kim Lynch and Scott Layne, youth consultants, and Point Source Youth (PSY).
This expansion will allow us to reach more young people, provide greater housing stability, and meet the urgent needs we saw in the program’s first phase.
Melane Cabrera, CASH LA recipient
Meah Watson, CASH LA recipient
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How it’s changing lives
How It Started
Point Source Youth (PSY) and LA Emissary, a project of Community Initiatives, worked in collaboration with local youth voices to guide the design and pre-implementation of CASH LA. Three youth consultants with lived experience of homelessness co-led the project after receiving feedback from other youth during focus groups held in November 2024.
PSY and LA Emissary also worked closely to select the Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease (AMAAD) Institute as the lead Community-Based Organization overseeing the implementation of CASH LA. The AMAAD Institute is a South Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing culturally relevant programs and services to cultivate settings for individuals to thrive. Their comprehensive model, which incorporates housing, health, education, and community involvement, makes them an ideal collaborator for the CASH LA pilot.
[Top] PSY Staff, Youth Consultants, and LAHSA staff take a minute to smile after successfully completing Focus Groups with 50 young people. [Bottom left] Participant workshop on Day 2. [Bottom right] Vision board created by Raine.
Additional Resources
Take a deeper dive into the CASH LA direct cash program in Los Angeles
FOCUS GROUP REPORT
PRESS RELEASE
On The Team
This initiative is led by Point Source Youth in partnership with LA Emissary, Cedars-Sinai, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and private donors Kim Lynch and Scott Layne. Youth consultants and LA Emissary will guide the distribution of cash and ensure community voices are at the forefront.
Name
Title
Rocio Evelin Carranza Jacinto
Director, Program Development and Growth
Anjala Huff
Vice President, Direct Cash Transfers
Thank you to Our Partners
This initiative is presented by Point Source Youth and Los Angeles Emissary with support from Cedars-Sinai, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, private donors Kim Lynch and Scott Layne.
