In this compelling episode of Doing What Works: In this compelling episode of "Doing What Works: Innovations in Homeless Services," host Ashanti Blaze-Hopkins engages in a profoundly insightful conversation with Leepi Shimkhada, Deputy Director of LA County's Department of Health Services Housing for Health. Shimkhada shares her powerful journey on the front lines, her transition into public policy, and the human impact of her work. This episode illuminates how Housing for Health integrates public health and housing, creating pathways for long-term stability and human dignity for those experiencing homelessness. Shimkhada's experience showcases the significant wins and devastating losses inherent in this work while underlining the importance of a holistic approach, collaboration, and a skilled and passionate workforce in achieving our shared goals.
She also underscores the vital need for systemic change to address the root causes of homelessness. Shimkhada's words resonate with a deep sense of purpose, highlighting the urgency of supporting prevention efforts and creating genuinely equitable and inclusive communities. Join us as we explore the critical steps needed for meaningful change in our communities through a public health lens and the crucial role each of us plays in advocating for this change.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
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How Santa Monica College's Homeless Services Program is pivotal in shaping the future of homeless services by training the next generation of skilled professionals and empowering and encouraging change.
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The profound impact of integrating public health with housing services for individuals experiencing homelessness creates a pathway toward long-term stability, human dignity, and a higher quality of life.
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The urgency and transformative potential of prevention, affordable housing, and wraparound services is immense, offering a beacon of hope for a more just and equitable society.
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The personal and systemic challenges faced by those who dedicate their lives to helping people experiencing homelessness demonstrate remarkable resilience, emphasizing the human side of the issue and inspiring hope.
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How LA County's Housing for Health program grew from a small initiative to a large-scale force for change, highlighting innovation and adaptation.
About Our Guest
Over the last 24 years, Leepi Shimkhada has had various roles in the homeless services community. After graduating with her master’s degree from Claremont Graduate University, she worked as a community organizer for several years before doing case management in the San Gabriel Valley and in Skid Row.
Leepi has been at LA DHS for the last 15 years and is currently the Deputy Director at Housing for Health. She oversees the Homeless Prevention Unit, Countywide Benefits Entitlement Team (CBEST), Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool and Intensive Case Management Services in Permanent Supportive Housing. These programs were established to provide housing and services to the most medically complex homeless individuals in the County to prevent them from falling into homelessness and quickly rehouse people to positively impact health outcomes in permanent housing with intensive services by using a “whatever it takes” model.
Impactful Quotes
"If you have a drive to serve, this is the best place to do it... you can make a difference, a little bit of change. You know, it doesn't have to be at the policy level. You can do this as a case manager."
"We’re a million units behind in affordable housing…. you need to be able to reduce poverty in this country, right? That way, that's the prevention strategy. You need to be able to increase affordable housing production. That's our solution. And you need to increase services funding so people can retain the housing.”
— Leepi Shimkhada
"We have been so well supported by our leadership and being able to grow this. You know, I have an incredible boss. I'm going to give her props here, Sarah Mayen. She's amazing. I couldn't do this without her. I stand on the shoulders of so many strong women who have really helped me get to where I am to be able to do this work."
"This is something that I kept thinking, what if? Why can't? You know, it's always the why. You know, we have, for drug treatment, you can get a certificate, you can get a certificate for like being a certified nursing assistant, but homeless services really didn't have this."
"It's about the intervention. It's about the program design that you offer so that people want to be there. It's not just about housing. It's about creating community. It's about going home and feeling like you're home."
"I mean, we've got some folks who are current Metro bus drivers, working in coffee shops, some former teachers who really want to be a part of the solution, right? And so that's what we need."
