Name
A Perfect Pair: Supportive Housing & Supportive Employment
Date & Time
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Maria Kim Paul Fordham Nick Panepinto
Description

To effectively end housing instability, we need to adopt a systems-wide approach. Homelessness hinders economic well-being nationwide, and without stable, prevailing wage jobs, secure housing remains elusive. Imagine communities creating comprehensive systems that pair supportive housing with supportive employment—a housing and jobs-first strategy. The key to this partnership is employment social enterprises (ESEs). ESEs provide stabilizing support (housing, transportation, childcare), paid training, skill-building, and resume and interview resources. These businesses have proven they can equip people experiencing homelessness with the skills needed for employment, resulting in at least 8 years of increased economic mobility and a 250% rise in long-term housing stability. In this workshop, you'll learn about innovative public-private partnerships that connect housing resources and homeless response systems with ESEs. You'll explore successful projects and ecosystems across the U.S. and hear from REDF, the nation's only venture philanthropy focused on ESEs; the Los Angeles LGBT Center, offering housing services; and Homeward Bound of Marin, dedicated to ending homelessness. You'll leave with resources and frameworks to identify and partner with ESEs in your community.