Step 1: Contact LAHSA's Coordinated Entry System (CES)
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) works with Los Angeles County and community-based organizations to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing and supportive services.
The Coordinated Entry System is a primary starting point for individuals seeking permanent supportive housing. It connects people with services and helps determine which housing resources may fit their circumstances.
How to get started:
Visit the LAHSA Get Help website.
Find a Coordinated Entry System Access Center or Access Point.
Contact the center to ask how to complete a housing assessment and connect with a housing service provider.
Explain that you are experiencing homelessness and are seeking permanent supportive housing in Los Angeles.
You can also call 211 for assistance finding local homeless services and housing resources.
Step 2: Complete a Housing Assessment
A CES assessment helps service providers understand your housing situation, needs, and potential eligibility for available programs.
During the assessment, you may be asked about:
Your current living situation and housing history.
How long you have experienced homelessness.
Your income and benefits, if any.
Health-related or disability-related support needs, when relevant to program eligibility.
Your household composition and other circumstances that may affect housing eligibility.
Answer questions as accurately as possible. If you do not have identification, paperwork, or other documents, explain your situation to the service provider and ask what can be done to help you obtain the necessary records.
Important: Completing an assessment does not guarantee placement in permanent supportive housing or a specific building. Eligibility and prioritization depend on the applicable program requirements and available resources.
Step 3: Stay Connected With Your Case Manager or Housing Service Provider
After your assessment, stay in contact with the agency assisting you. Depending on your circumstances, this may be a CES provider, homeless outreach worker, shelter case manager, or other participating service provider.
Your case manager or housing specialist can help you:
Understand the housing programs for which you may qualify.
Update your housing information when your circumstances change.
Identify documents needed for a referral.
Connect with housing navigation and other supportive services.
Follow up on potential housing opportunities.
If you are already receiving services through a shelter, outreach program, or county behavioral health provider, tell your case manager that you are interested in permanent supportive housing.
Step 4: Ask About Eligibility for Enlightenment plaza
If you are interested in living at Enlightenment Plaza, let your case manager or housing service provider know. Ask your case manager to determine whether you may qualify for this particular housing opportunity and whether a referral is appropriate.
Please note: Contacting Flexible PSH Solutions or expressing interest in the property is not the same as receiving an official housing referral. Prospective residents should follow the referral process established by the participating government agencies.
Step 5: Gather Documents That May Be Needed
If you are being considered for a housing referral, your case manager or housing specialist can explain which documents are required for your particular program.
Depending on the program, potentially useful documents include:
Government-issued identification, if available.
Social Security documentation, if applicable.
Proof of income or public benefits, if applicable.
Documentation of homelessness or housing history.
Disability-related documentation, if required for the program.
Information about household members, if applicable.
Not every applicant will need every document on this list. Ask your service provider which items are required and how to obtain anything that is missing.
Do not give up because you lack paperwork. Tell your case manager about the documents you do not have and ask for assistance obtaining them.
Step 6: Follow Up on Referrals and Housing Opportunities
Housing opportunities depend on program eligibility, referral decisions, available units, and the requirements of the specific property.
Stay in contact with your case manager and respond to requests for information as promptly as you can.
If you are told that a referral has been submitted, ask:
Has my referral been submitted to the appropriate housing program?
Is any additional documentation needed?
What happens next in the process?
How will I be contacted if a housing opportunity becomes available?
Whom should I contact if my phone number or living situation changes?
Keep your contact information current with your service provider whenever possible.
Step 7: Complete the Property's Screening and Move-In Process
If you are referred to Enlightenment Plaza and selected to proceed, the appropriate housing and property staff will explain the remaining steps.
These may include verifying eligibility, reviewing the rental assistance requirements, completing required housing paperwork, and signing the applicable lease or occupancy documents.
Follow the instructions provided by the authorized housing and property staff. Ask questions if you need help understanding a document or completing a form.
A referral does not necessarily mean that a unit has been awarded. Final placement depends on the applicable eligibility requirements and completion of the required process.