Supportive housing, medical care, and dedicated case managers often are the ingredients to successfully transition many Los Angeles County residents experiencing homelessness to a brighter and more stable future.
Jonathan Williams, a U.S. Navy veteran, experienced homelessness when he stopped taking his medications for his mental health and began drinking and smoking marijuana. He remained homeless for about four years before getting treatment and finding temporary housing at the Hope Harbor Salvation Army transitional recovery center.
Now, at age 32, Jonathan has moved to a West Hollywood apartment building dedicated to transitioning veterans out of homelessness. The complex is now under a government-backed master lease that increases the utilization of tenant-based rental subsidies. Partners in this effort included the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative and Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and PATH.
Jonathan said is he is grateful, happy and will now focus on his music.