A $4 million grant from the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation will expand legal and caseworker support for Los Angeles tenants facing eviction, it was announced Thursday.
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.”
The fund also guarantees that veterans in need can obtain stable housing and avoid homelessness, according to the foundation.
Since 2023, the Mayor’s Fund has provided eviction support services through legal aid and casework.
“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 stated. “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.”