Leadership Training: As natural leaders emerge in the context of housing communities and as relevant issues are articulated by residents, WORKS supports resident leadership and advocacy skill building through policy training and issue-focused workshops. In collaboration with public policy experts and other community partners, residents are currently working together to advance policies focused on increasing equitable access to quality transportation, including supporting a countywide campaign for a permanent fare-free transit system. WORKS leaders are active in local efforts to bring attention to the shrinking supply of reasonably priced rental apartments, and each year, senior and youth leaders of WORKS housing communities champion anti-poverty and anti-hunger issues to educate lawmakers on the importance of protecting food safety net programs. Please check out stories about two resident leaders under Success & Leadership Stories.

Issue Advocacy: WORKS is active in advocating for increased and sensible funding strategies for affordable housing and for sufficient funding to offer meaningful services to residents. Without such legislation, throughout Los Angeles County, the pace of gentrification will continue to accelerate, rents will continue to escalate, the supply of affordable housing will continue to shrink, wages at the bottom of the economic ladder will remain too low to cover area rents, and the affordable housing and homelessness crisis will just get worse and worse. WORKS remains steadfast in the belief that homelessness ends with housing. Handcuffs and more law enforcement are never the answer. WORKS will continue to partner in coalition to end policies that criminalize those who are without shelter, and to promote the path of housing and services.