A caseworker helps people avoid homelessness at the Hollywood office of ‘We Are LA program. The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, which operates the office, has received a $4 million grant from the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation to expand legal and casework support.
Courtesy photo
Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — A $4 million grant from the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation will expand legal and caseworker support for Los Angeles tenants facing eviction.
The grant, awarded to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles’ “We Are LA” program, comes as thousands of households face eviction filings each month, according to the fund. The money will sustain access to caseworkers and full legal representation for at-risk tenants.
“My parents, Bob and Dolores Hope, were deeply committed to supporting their community,” foundation CEO Linda Hope said in a statement. “We are proud to continue their compassionate legacy and further enhance the lives of Angelenos in need, through the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles.
“In addition, the fund ensures that veterans who require help can access stable housing and avoid homelessness,” Hope added. “The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation continues to champion my parents’ vision of encouraging the community’s most vulnerable members to feel they are a valuable part of society and have faith in themselves.”
Since 2023, the Mayor’s Fund has provided eviction support services through legal aid and casework. The Hope Foundation grant will ensure the longevity of current legal assistance and access to experienced caseworkers who can navigate eligibility-based programs for families and individuals at risk of losing their homes.
“Personalized support makes the difference between staying housed or ending up on the street,” said Rosio Sarabia, a caseworker with the program. “Families come to us with no resources, no understanding of their rights, and no legal help. They’re facing eviction alone. Caseworkers, legal staff and attorneys become their lifeline.”
Mayor Karen Bass said the grant will build on recent progress.
“For the first time in City history, Los Angeles reported a decrease in homelessness two consecutive years in a row — and now the urgent work continues with this generous gift from the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation,” Bass said. “This grant will expand the work and proven success of the Mayor’s Fund in preventing people from falling into homelessness through resources that have already served thousands of Angelenos.”
Mayor’s Fund CEO Conway Collis added that the foundation’s investment is “foundational in helping us expand our proven model — one-on-one personal support and full legal services to prevent homelessness before it starts and keep Angelenos housed.”
“Far too many families in Los Angeles are just one paycheck away from losing their home,” Collis said. “The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation’s support could not be more important.”
