Geography: California

CSH is thrilled to announce the teams selected for the 2026 Groundwork: Youth Supportive Housing Development Training Series, a comprehensive four‑month virtual program designed to help communities turn early‑stage ideas into fully developed supportive housing concepts for youth and young adults.

This year’s Groundwork cohort brings together a diverse group of organizations—youth service providers, developers, system partners, and community leaders—who share a commitment to creating safe, stable, and supportive housing opportunities tailored to young people. Over the coming months, participants will engage in a dynamic learning experience that blends training, coaching, and collaborative project development.

About the Groundwork Training Series

Groundwork is a four‑month virtual learning and technical assistance program designed to help multi‑sector teams move a youth supportive housing concept from early vision to actionable plan. Through four live sessions, guided team meetings, individualized coaching, and optional office hours, teams build shared understanding, deepen partnerships, and clarify the steps needed to develop effective supportive housing for youth and young adults.

Participants explore model design, project development basics, system collaboration strategies, and role alignment. Youth and young adult engagement is strongly encouraged to ensure concepts reflect lived expertise and community needs.

Introducing the 2026 Groundwork Cohort

We are proud to welcome the following teams to this year’s Groundwork cohort:

• Better Youth — Los Angeles, California
• Child and Family Charities — Lansing, Michigan
• Covenant House International — Dallas, Texas and Boston, Massachusetts
• Emerging Phoenix — Richmond, Virginia
• Living Waters Youth — Chicago, Illinois
• Montana Continuum of Care Coalition
• Zoe, Incorporated — Richmond, Kentucky

These organizations bring deep experience, passion, and insight from communities across the country. Over the next four months, they will work collaboratively with CSH and one another to strengthen their supportive housing concepts and build the partnerships necessary for long‑term success.

Why Groundwork Matters

Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness face unique challenges—and systems are often not designed to fully meet their needs. Supportive housing provides a stable, youth‑centered foundation for young people to thrive. By equipping communities with tools, knowledge, and a collaborative framework, Groundwork helps lay the foundation for impactful, sustainable solutions.

We look forward to supporting this year’s Groundwork teams as they bring transformative projects to life.

Twenty years ago, CSH developed the FUSE (Frequently Used Systems Engagement) model to deliver a transformative solution that aligns housing, health, and justice systems to provide supportive housing and coordinated care. With a proven track record of success, FUSE has become a national model for cross-sector collaboration and data-driven intervention.

For 20 years, CSH has partnered with communities across the country to identify people with complex needs who frequently cycle through emergency systems—such as shelters, hospitals, and jails—and connect them to the housing and services they need to break the cycle, achieve stability, and thrive.

This brief highlights 4 communities that have successfully implemented FUSE. Partners share their lessons learned and the lasting impact that FUSE has had on systems, residents, and communities.

This report presents a comprehensive assessment of workforce needs in the homeless services sector in Los Angeles County. Using detailed labor market data, industry and occupational analyses, and comparison of postsecondary award trends, this study’s findings reveal a significant gap between workforce demand and educational supply of trained workers.

The people who serve individuals experiencing homelessness are the foundation of the county’s response system. Supporting an adequate number of well-trained workers in this sector is not only a practical necessity, it is a matter of public trust and social equity. Ultimately, the county’s investments in services for the homeless must be matched by investments in the workforce. With data-driven strategies and targeted investment, Los Angeles County can build the workforce it needs to match the scale of its commitment to ending homelessness

Communities across the country are facing a shortage of qualified professionals in homeless services. In partnership with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and local universities, CSH developed a workforce strategy centered on a university-based certificate program. Backed by labor market data through the Los Angeles Center of Excellence on Labor Market Research and extensive stakeholder input, the program aims to close the gap between classroom learning and frontline service needs. 

The 2025 Los Angeles Emerging Developer Learning Lab has launched, bringing fresh energy and innovation to the supportive housing landscape in Los Angeles. Led by CSH, the Los Angeles Emerging Developer Learning Lab is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of early-stage and mission-driven housing developers committed to expanding supportive housing across Los Angeles County. Structured as a co-learning cohort, the program engages five selected development teams in a series of virtual sessions, one-on-one technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities. Each session is focused on building internal infrastructure, advancing housing projects, and fostering long-term sustainability. By investing in early-stage developers, CSH aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to deliver high-quality, service-enriched housing solutions for communities most in need. 

The 2025 cohort includes a mix of five nonprofit and for-profit emerging developer groups, many of whom are in the early stages of their development journey. A few participants bring experience in affordable and supportive housing and are using this opportunity to cultivate new leadership in the field through learning and collaborating. The program will run through December 2025; with monthly for co-learning sessions focused on key topics such as funding and financing, development and design, construction, operations, and supportive services. 

The group met for the initial program kick off in September. They took part in the first co-learning session focused on topics such as budgeting, structuring and building partnerships, and the cost-of-service needs in supportive housing. The group will meet again (November) for a themed co-learning session on trauma informed design.  

Meet the 2025 Teams

Neighborhood Community Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing paired with supportive services to communities in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Their mission is to revitalize communities and empower residents through stability, wellness, and opportunity.

The Good Seed, began as a ministry of Good Seed Church, focused on supporting transition-age youth, and has since expanded to serve women, families, and older adults across Southern California. Through housing, outreach, and intensive case management, they provide nurturing care and essential tools to help individuals thrive and become healthy, productive members of society.

Oliver Emerson Development, a real estate development firm founded in 2003, focused on transformative redevelopment and housing solutions. They specialize in repositioning underutilized properties into sustainable, community-centered assets that drive both economic growth and social impact.

The People Concern, a leading nonprofit in Los Angeles County that provides comprehensive services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and trauma. Through housing, mental health care, and supportive programs, they empower people to rebuild their lives and thrive in their communities.

Mercy Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating homelessness by providing affordable, service-enriched housing to families, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Mercy is partnering with CTY Housing who provides turnkey development and financial advisory services to affordable housing stakeholders and has contributed to the planning and development of over 8,000 homes for low-income households, with a mission centered on building communities where individuals can stabilize and thrive.