Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Housing Works

EIN 03-0522656 · Los Angeles, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE HOUSING AND SERVICE OPTIONS THAT MODEL, WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, SUSTAINABLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE, AFFORDABLE COMMUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF LIMITED RESOURCES.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
83
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$141,852, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $6.7 million spent. DURING FISCAL YEARS 2025 AND 2024, HOUSING WORKS SERVED A TOTAL OF 1,452 AND 1,185 INDIVIDUALS, RESPECTIVELY, WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS. THIS INCLUDED 1,175 AND 894 INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN SCATTERED-SITE OR PROJECT-BASED HOUSING, AS WELL AS 277 AND 291 INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED OUTREACH AND HOUSING NAVIGATION SERVICES IN 2025 AND 2024, RESPECTIVELY. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HELPED 260 AND 207 INDIVIDUALS MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING IN 2025 AND 2024, RESPECTIVELY. HOUSING WORKS SERVES AS THE ON-SITE SERVICES PROVIDER FOR NINE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITH A TOTAL OF 1,170 AND 548 UNITS OF SITE-BASED HOUSING IN 2025 AND 2024, RESPECTIVELY. THE ORGANIZATION'S HOUSING RETENTION RATE WAS 98.8% IN 2025 AND 97% IN 2024. THE FOOD BOOST PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED A TOTAL OF 54,240 AND 13,550 FOOD BOXES, VEGAN FOOD BAGS, AND SACK LUNCHES IN 2025 AND 2024, RESPECTIVELY.SERVICES WERE DELIVERED IN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES COUNTY, INCLUDING HOLLYWOOD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, PASADENA, DOWNTOWN, THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, EAST, CENTRAL AND SOUTH LOS ANGELES.PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING - THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH BOTH FOR-PROFIT AND NONPROFIT HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS TO CREATE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OPTIONS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THESE INCLUDE SECURING UNITS IN SITE-BASED AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, AS WELL AS SCATTERED SITE UNITS.HOME FIRST PROGRAM - ASSISTS PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (OR WHO ARE MULTI-DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION, HIV AND/OR OTHER CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS) TO FIND, SECURE, AND SUSTAIN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS' ABILITY TO RETAIN PERMANENT HOUSING AND THRIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE DELIVERED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S MOBILE INTEGRATED SERVICES TEAM (MIST) AND/OR VIA LINKAGES AND REFERRALS BY THE MOBILE INTEGRATED SERVICES TEAM TO LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, 24/7 CRISIS RESPONSE, COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC CARE, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, MONEY MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING SERVICES AS REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE), HEALTH CARE, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES, BENEFITS ADVOCACY, EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND SEARCH ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND RECREATIONAL/SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.ENRICHED SERVICES - PROGRAM STAFF ASSIGNED TO SINGLE-SITE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS COORDINATE A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND TO BUILD COMMUNITY AMONG RESIDENTS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT OF RESIDENTS IN SERVICES, SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION OF ON-SITE EVENTS SUCH AS HEALTH FAIRS, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHOPS, INTERFACING WITH THE FOOD BOOST STAFF FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS AND PROMOTING ON-SITE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.EMPOWERMENT WORKS - ASSISTS PARTICIPANTS IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO ACCESS PAID AND VOLUNTEER WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THEATRE, SPORTING EVENTS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, CONCERTS AND CELEBRATIONS. FOOD BOOST NUTRITION ASSISTANCE & DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM - PROVIDES WEEKLY SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES AND SERVED MEALS TO HOUSING WORKS' MOST ILL, VULNERABLE AND FOOD-INSECURE PARTICIPANTS AND COORDINATES MONTHLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS AT SINGLESITE SETTINGS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.