St. Joseph Center Celebrates Milestone with the Opening of La Ramona Family Interim Housing Community

In partnership with Los Angeles County, the State of California, and the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, St. Joseph Center opens its first owned housing site in South Los Angeles through Project Homekey.

Los Angeles, CA - St. Joseph Center proudly announces the official opening of La Ramona Family Interim Housing Community, a newly transformed facility in the heart of South Los Angeles’s historic Jefferson Park neighborhood. Developed as part of California’s Project Homekey initiative, this site represents St. Joseph Center's first-ever fully owned housing facility. It offers a safe and supportive transitional environment designed for families experiencing homelessness. La Ramona will provide a vital resource for permanent housing and stability, with nearly 20 units designed specifically for children and families.

La Ramona Family Interim Housing Community provides families access to essential services, including employment training, credit repair, legal assistance, mental health support, and case management, all designed to help families achieve long-term stability. Shared amenities such as laundry facilities and communal spaces will also foster a sense of community among residents, helping them build a strong foundation as they transition toward permanent housing.

“La Ramona will provide Los Angeles families with another important step in their journey to thrive,” said Dr. Ryan J. Smith, President and CEO of St. Joseph Center. “This milestone reaffirms our dedication to expanding housing opportunities for families across Los Angeles,” added Dr. Smith. “The La Ramona Family Interim Housing Community will not only provide much-needed housing but also essential support services and skills that offer a path to stability for families.”

Collaborative Efforts Making a Lasting Impact

The La Ramona project exemplifies the power of collaboration between state, county, and local nonprofit partners working toward the shared goal of reducing homelessness. We extend our deepest thanks to our partners and supporters, whose commitment to our mission makes this work possible. We are especially grateful for the support of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Councilwoman Heather Hutt, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, the City of Los Angeles, and LAHSA, as well as our valued development partner, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), and our dedicated homeless services partner, HOPICS.  

From Veronica Lewis, Director of HOPICS:

 “I am excited to congratulate St. Joseph Center and Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) on bringing additional resources to South LA to support families in need,” said Veronica Lewis, Director of LA County’s Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS). “The state’s Homekey program has provided crucial opportunities for deeply rooted and respected nonprofit homeless service providers to now build assets and create housing units in the communities we serve. HOPICS looks forward to working with SJC and CRCD to support in any way we can to stabilize these families and help them thrive long term.”

From Mark Wilson, President and CEO, The Coalition for Responsible Community Development:

“This project is a powerful example of what community partnerships can achieve. As the development partner, CRCD is proud to collaborate with St. Joseph Center to bring this essential housing to Jefferson Park,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of CRCD. “Together, we are changing the narrative for families in Los Angeles, ensuring they not only have a safe space to live but also the resources to thrive.”

Nandi's Story

After years of hardship, Nandi, a single mother, and her infant son, Nine, are happy to be a new resident at the La Ramona. “Just being here makes me so grateful,” she said, describing the support from neighbors and community partners along her journey. “I had three dollars in my bank account and didn’t even have enough money to pay for laundry. But I was willing to surrender to the process. I’m so grateful St. Joseph Center gave us an opportunity to get back on our feet.” Nandi’s case manager, Talisha, is a graduate of St. Joseph Center's Careers for a Cause workforce development program. She is excited to help Nandi, especially because she has experienced homelessness. “We’re going to do all we can to provide her the services she needs,” Talisha states.

About Project Homekey

Project Homekey is a groundbreaking statewide initiative led by the State of California to combat homelessness by rapidly creating housing for individuals and families without a place to call home. By converting existing buildings into housing facilities, Project Homekey has been instrumental in helping nonprofits and local governments create immediate solutions to California’s housing crisis. La Ramona is one of the latest Project Homekey sites, enabling St. Joseph Center, in partnership with Los Angeles County and the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), to provide interim housing solutions that offer shelter and comprehensive support services for families in need.

About St. Joseph Center

St. Joseph Center has been a dynamic force for change for nearly fifty years, supporting underserved and low-income families and homeless individuals of all ages with resources to become stable and self-sufficient. Last year, St. Joseph Center helped connect over 2,400 individuals to housing, provided over 45,000 hours of mental health care, served more than 46,000 nutritious meals at the Venice-based Bread and Roses Cafe, and supported nearly 15,000 Angelenos on their journey to permanent housing.