Latest News
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Summer Advocacy Update
Over the summer, Brilliant Corners continued engaging in state and local advocacy initiatives, supporting efforts to reduce the barriers to housing, improve service provisions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and much more – and we released a new study report: Serving Our Vulnerable Populations.
Brilliant Corners Announces Groundbreaking for Homekey Harbor City
Brilliant Corners is proud to announce the kick-off for construction at Homekey Harbor City, a former Motel 6 that will become permanent supportive housing for 49 individuals who have experienced homelessness. We were joined for the groundbreaking by Isela Gracian, Senior Deputy, Homelessness & Housing, for LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
Board and care homes could make a dent in homelessness but remain underfunded, study finds
We are proud to share this L.A. Times piece highlighting the recently released research study: Serving Our Vulnerable Populations: LA County Adult Residential Facilities & Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly.
New Research Study on LA County-based Adult Residential Facilities and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly
Serving Our Vulnerable Populations: Los Angeles County Adult Residential Facilities and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly is a first-of-its-kind study report on vital housing resources for vulnerable community members.
Local Innovations in Addressing Homelessness Webinar
Brilliant Corners Chief Operating Officer, Chris Contreras, joined the Bipartisan Policy Center and local leaders to share innovative approaches for meeting the needs of unhoused people, share valuable insights on how to scale up promising interventions, and discuss how the federal government can support successful programs.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Spring Advocacy Update
Spring 2023 was a packed season for advocacy at Brilliant Corners. Over the last quarter, we took action on several policy and advocacy initiatives across the sector at the national, state, and local level to advocate for housing and homelessness policy improvements, increased funding for supportive housing and homelessness, and much more.
Helping The Formerly Jailed Get Back On Their Feet
Brilliant Corners Director of External Affairs, Jose Osuna, wrote a powerful piece in the Pasadena Star News sharing his lived experience, and how housing is central to the reentry process.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Winter Advocacy Update
This winter, Brilliant Corners engaged in several advocacy initiatives and worked in collaboration with organizations and coalitions across the sector with the goal of reducing the barriers to housing. Check out a recap of the advocacy opportunities we pursued throughout the winter season that align with our approach to make housing more accessible for all.
New Details Release On Skid Row Housing Trust’s Mismanagement, What Can SoCal Housing Development Non-Profit’s Learn From This?
Brilliant Corners Chief Executive Officer, William Pickel, joins NPR’s AirTalk with Larry Mantle to discuss the recent reporting from the Los Angeles Times on the collapse of Skid Row Housing Trust, along with Los Angeles Times Senior Writer, Doug Smith, and president and CEO of Innovative Housing Opportunities, Rochelle Mills.
After a lifetime of homelessness, addiction, & incarceration, it was housing that changed his life.
Spectrum News reporter Catalina Villegas highlights Brilliant Corners and the Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool program. This segment features a moving conversation with Brilliant Corners participant, Boyce, who shares how housing has been key to his healing process.
Brilliant Corners Chief Program Officer Chris Contreras receives a 2023 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
This week, The James Irvine Foundation announced that Brilliant Corners’ Chief Program Officer Chris Contreras was named as one of the 2023 Leadership Award recipients. The Award comes with a $250,000 grant to continue Brilliant Corners’ work of helping people exit homelessness through housing placements and supportive services.
Groundbreaking California Leaders Lauded by The James Irvine Foundation for Bold, Innovative Leadership
The James Irvine Foundation announced the recipients of its 2023 Leadership Awards, honoring seven leaders from six organizations for advancing solutions to critical issues affecting millions of Californians: housing and homelessness, tribal sovereignty and family welfare, criminal justice reform, human rights, education, food insecurity, climate change, and economic justice.
Can $100 Million Change San Francisco’s Response to Homelessness? One Grant Maker Tried. Here’s What Happened.
We are so grateful to Tipping Point Community for their vision and commitment in launching the San Francisco Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool. Check out this Chronicle of Philanthropy piece on the lasting impact of Tipping Point’s groundbreaking funding.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Fall Advocacy Update
This past fall season, Brilliant Corners took action on various advocacy initiatives at the state and local level. We have outlined the advocacy opportunities that we pursued last season that align with our mission to make housing more accessible for all.
Meet 4 Older Americans Who Survived Homelessness
We are proud to share this beautiful piece on older adults who previously experienced homelessness, featuring our amazing Brilliant Corners San Diego Flex Pool participant, Greg.
Breaking Barriers: An Innovative Cross-Sector Solution
Breaking Barriers is a visionary rapid rehousing program providing housing, tenancy support, case management, and employment services to justice-impacted adults and families in LA County who are experiencing homelessness.
‘A Jolt of Energy’ to San Francisco’s Homelessness Response System
Transformational change requires transformational leadership and partnership. We’re grateful to Tipping Point Community for their passion, focus and commitment to tackling San Francisco’s homelessness crisis and proud to be a partner in this initiative.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Summer Advocacy Update
This summer was an energizing season for Brilliant Corners’ advocacy efforts. Check out this recap of the advocacy initiatives that we are currently pursuing that align with our mission.
Could this COVID program help reduce the California housing crisis?
With rents on the rise statewide, Brilliant Corners is working to broaden our network of landlord partners to connect clients to time-limited voucher resources. CalMatters highlights this issue and features Brilliant Corners Chief Program Officer, Chris Contreras.
He was homeless and in hospice. His recovery is a lesson in what it takes to save a life
This powerful LA Times article features Housing For Health and Brilliant Corners client, Sean, sharing his journey to stability. LA County’s Housing for Health program underscores how housing is the cornerstone of health and wellbeing, and Sean’s story is a testament to how supportive housing and care can lead to transformative health outcomes.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Spring Advocacy Update
This spring has been a busy season for Brilliant Corners’ advocacy efforts. Over the past few months, we pursued over 20 advocacy initiatives across housing and homelessness on the federal, state, and local level.
Inland Empire Summer Lease Up Event
Be part of the solution to make housing more accessible for Inland Empire residents. We’re looking for property provider partners in the Inland Empire to join our housing fold for our Summer Lease Up Event.
Community Corp. Holds Ribbon-Cutting for Mar Vista Affordable Housing Development
Brilliant Corners is proud to be part of this important project, bringing much-needed supportive housing to our community and serving residents with developmental disabilities.
Challenging Recidivism
We are proud to share this PBS segment featuring our inspiring former participant Raven, highlighting the barriers that women face exiting the justice system. Our Breaking Barriers program is designed to help clients like Raven find stability through housing & employment support. Check out this feature with Raven and Breaking Barriers program manager Morgan sharing their journey together.
Brilliant Corners Helps People Experiencing Homelessness
PBS journalist Bonnie Boswell highlights our Breaking Barriers Program, featuring the journey of our former participant Raven in securing her very own apartment.
Brilliant Corners CEO William Pickel Testifies at CA Assembly in Support of AB 2817
Brilliant Corners CEO William F. Pickel was honored to testify at the California State Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee as a lead witness in support of AB 2817, alongside our partner the Western Center on Law & Poverty.
A new skid row facility where homeless women can try ‘to get whole and heal’
Brilliant Corners was proud to partner with DHS Housing for Health, the City and County of LA, and JWCH Institute, Inc. on The Oasis, a new recuperative care site providing medical monitoring, counseling and case management for homeless women who are medically vulnerable.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Winter Advocacy Update
This winter, Brilliant Corners pursued a variety of advocacy initiatives in housing and homelessness sectors across the state and local level. Learn more about the advocacy initiatives that we are currently pursuing that align with our mission to end homelessness.
Announcing the Opening of Hope on Alvarado
We are excited to announce the opening of a long-awaited, modular-design supportive housing site in Los Angeles! In August, we welcomed Brilliant Corners clients into their new homes in Hope on Alvarado, an 83-unit permanent supportive housing complex.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Fall Advocacy Update
This fall, Brilliant Corners pursued a variety of advocacy initiatives in housing and homelessness policy, across federal, state and local levels. Read about our current advocacy priorities.
Brilliant Corners Selected as Finalist for Google.org Impact Challenge
We are honored to share that Brilliant Corners is a finalist for this year’s Google.org Bay Area Impact Challenge! Vote for Brilliant Corners and help us scale supportive housing solutions to meet the need in San Francisco.
Inequity in the Permanent Supportive Housing System in Los Angeles: Scale, Scope and Reasons for Black Residents’ Returns to Homelessness
Brilliant Corners Board Member Earl Edwards co-authored a powerful research report in collaboration with the California Policy Lab, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and several other community partners. The report examines why there are racial inequities in returns to homelessness for Black Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) residents.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Summer Advocacy Update
Throughout the summer, Brilliant Corners has worked to advance our advocacy efforts in the housing, deincarceration, and development sectors. We have outlined the state and local advocacy initiatives that we are currently pursuing.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Spring Advocacy Update
Spring has been an active time for Brilliant Corners’ advocacy work. Over the last few months, Brilliant Corners has continued its active support of AB 71, the Bring California Home Act, as well as the efforts to ensure full funding for Measure J. We have outlined the state and local advocacy initiatives that we are currently pursuing that align with our mission to end homelessness.
L.A. Care Spotlight: Partnering to Improve Outcomes During COVID-19
In fall of 2020, as Brilliant Corners was mobilizing in collaboration with the LA County Department of Health Services (DHS) to support people experiencing homelessness and those at greater risk of COVID-19, our longtime partners at L.A. Care saw a way that they could provide critical support.
Project Home: ‘Flex Pool’ Program Matches Homeless San Franciscans to Vacant Apartments
Throughout the pandemic Brilliant Corners and the non-profit Tipping Point have housed people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.
Advocacy at Brilliant Corners: Using Our Collective Voice to Call for Change
Brilliant Corners has actively advocated for a multitude of legislative actions, all geared towards housing justice and ensuring funding and commitment for long-term solutions to homelessness. We have outlined the state and local bills, calls to action, and legislative proposals we are currently pursuing.
Key Considerations for Health Plans: Partnering with Community-Based Organizations to Address Social Determinants of Health
Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM), a Medicare-Medicaid Plan serving San Mateo County, launched their Community Care Settings Program (CCSP) in 2014 to support members moving from nursing facilities to the community with the supports and services they need to thrive. HPSM selected Brilliant Corners – given its significant previous experience in care transitions programs – to work closely with them to support their members’ needs.
Bay Area Landlords Are Opening Their Doors to Formerly Homeless Residents Amid Mounting Vacancies
As Bay Area officials work to find long-term options for homeless residents housed by Project Roomkey, some nonprofits are working with landlords to find permanent housing solutions.
Mid-Century Supermarket in Wilmington to Become Supportive Housing
The Avalon 1355 project was developed in partnership with the Richmond Group, KFA Architecture, and Brilliant Corners. This new project will bring 53 units of much-needed permanent supportive housing to the Wilmington community, maintaining the existing site structure and adding in green design elements.
RECOVERY AND RENEWAL: Housing + Health
Brilliant Corners was honored to be featured in the California Community Foundation’s (CCF) 2020 Annual Report. As one of the recipients of funding from CCF’s COVID-19 emergency response grants, Brilliant Corners partnered with LA County to stand up quarantine sites for the unhoused in a matter of weeks.
How Can Health Plans Support People Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
People experiencing homelessness are one of the populations most impacted by COVID-19 in California because they lack protection from the environment, adequate access to hygiene and sanitation facilities, or connection to services and health care.
Coronavirus: San Francisco to move 200 homeless residents from hotels into housing
San Francisco will move 200 homeless residents out of the hotels where they’ve been temporarily sheltering during the pandemic, and into permanent supportive housing.
Brilliant Corners to operate San Diego’s the Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool
The Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) announced the selection of Brilliant Corners, a nationally recognized innovative non-profit, to operate the San Diego Regional Flexible Housing Pool (FHP).
iPads Donated to LA County Hospitals, Allowing Patients to ‘Visit’ Loved Ones
In collaboration between the Annenberg Foundation, Brilliant Corners, Los Angeles County and MobileDemand donated 300 iPads to four hospitals so isolated patients can have virtual visits with family and friends during the coronavirus pandemic.
Partnering to Meet Food Security Needs for Supportive Housing Clients and Unsheltered Residents During COVID-19
LA County Department of Health Services has a new partner in a critical time: World Central Kitchen, a global relief organization founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés.
The Role of Philanthropy in Supporting Partnerships and Organizations Combatting COVID-19
Philanthropy has both a unique opportunity and a critical responsibility to protect the most vulnerable communities during a pandemic. During this vital time, philanthropy can leverage its flexibility to provide funds to organizations for immediate relief and urgent needs.
Changemakers LA: Rethinking Housing Development
Brilliant Corners and Genesis LA join the Changemakers LA podcast to discuss innovative housing solutions, and what they’re doing to make housing development faster and less expensive.
Affordable Housing Breaks Ground on Vacant Site in Mar Vista
City officials and non-profit developer Community Corporation of Santa Monica broke ground on Vista Ballona, a subsidized affordable housing complex in Mar Vista.
San Francisco’s Stalled ‘Moving On Initiative’ Was Working Well, Report Suggests
In 2017, as part of a broader set of programs aimed at reducing chronic homelessness, the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco Housing Authority, and the grantmaking nonprofit group Tipping Point launched a new initiative called Moving On.