About VOALA-old

Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) and American Veterans Mini Home Builders (AVMHB)have formed a development collaboration in Los Angeles. The purpose of this collaboration is creating cost-effective, rapid, scalable approach to increasing the stock of affordable housing to our Homeless Veterans/Veterans with families, Homeless Transgender and Displaced Transitional Aged Youth. The provision of providing safe, high-quality homes as well as job training programs creates a lasting social impact for those we serve. Our overarching goal is developing housing alternatives and training this at-risk population one relies on the other.

There is a growing need to find affordable housing accommodations for this vulnerable population. Addressing the housing shortage is critical with new affordable housing construction not keeping pace with demand. Our solution to the Housing Shortage is purchasing single family homes and adding an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) in the rear yard. An ADU is a permanent home fully permitted and in compliance with all City and State building requirements and a Certificate of Occupancy. It is a secondary home with independent living facilities for families designed to match the primary house. The ADU’s developed by the team range from approximately 600 SF., 2 bedrooms/ 1 bath unit to a 860 SF., 3 Bedrooms/2 Baths, full kitchen, dining room/living room with a secure outdoor yard with pet friendly space. The ADU’s are within one-half mile of public transit. They are centrally located near neighborhood schools, shopping and employment facilities. We anticipate that a community with others experiencing the same type of challenges and residing in these houses will be an anchor for future prosperity for these individuals that have fallen on hardship.


The key to success in this housing model is social services which we have included in the housing program for the residents.  This is accomplished by a comprehensive Health/Mental health assessment, a wrap-around service approach emphasizing positive development, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering independence and the continued linkage to services at VOALA (for depression, PTSI, substance abuse, gender related issues, etc.,).


We have reached out to the Veteran population in Los Angeles City and County with prospects of developing Mini Home Communities in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  We are reaching out to the Veteran/TAY population especially those who are interested in exploring a career path. The initial selection of candidates will be current clients of VOALA.  This process will entail a formal interview process – application, interview, if applicable documentation of military service and employment willingness. Our relationship with two High Schools in Los Angeles will offer positive career paths for their graduates in the form of specialized training programs. Our training programs will entail on-site construction training for site preparation. Site preparation includes almost most areas of construction such as grading and excavation, foundations and concrete, plumbing and electrical connections, green technology, elevation design and implementation, landscape and finish work. During the on-site training process, students obtain the required experience for a construction related certification and/or general contractors license.


Utilizing VOALA speciality programming for the Veteran/TAY population engaging in treatment services, recovery services, shelter/housing and a highly successful job training program through their Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) aka “Helping Veterans Receive Paychecks”, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Veterans Service Center, HUD-VASH Program, Youth Build, Battle Buddy to name a few. These programs ensure our Veterans/TAY clients receive the employment and training services they need to secure gainful employment.


AVMHB Offices are located in the heart of Skid Row in the City of Los Angeles. Our Team is comprised of construction and business personnel with the experience that makes us a leader in the renovation of single-family residences and the installer of Accessory Dwelling Units.Our expertise in this process is evidenced by multiple home purchases and the purchases/placements of ADU’s in the rear yard. Our plan is topurchasemultiple ADU’s at a total monthly value of One Million dollars addressing our commitment to ending homelessness.


Taking a realistic approach to the shortage of skilled construction workers, we are finalizing the development of a Construction Apprenticeship Program for our residents. This will entail working at a specific Warehouse site for a Manufactured Housing Corporation at an entry level construction job; painting/molding, framing, floor and carpet installation, insulation, etc., The long-term goal (within 2 years) is that the current entry level trainees develop a skill-set for advancement at various facilities to attain a higher paying construction job/position.


Our target for completion of each property isattaining occupancy 30 days after issuance of building permits. It is important that the Community embrace and understand the intent and purpose of our projects, in the hope we can successfully achieve our goals. The residents develop a sense of community responsibility and participation.  Our approach to finding a solution that aids in housing and employment will provide positive impact to the Disabled/Homeless Veterans/ Transgender/Transitional Aged Youth populations allowing growth and contribution to their communities. This pride and sense of Community will be evidenced by the practice of being a good neighbor, environmentally responsible and the establishment of new roots in a stable neighborhood.

Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) and American Veterans Mini Home Builders (AVMHB)have formed a development collaboration in Los Angeles. The purpose of this collaboration is creating cost-effective, rapid, scalable approach to increasing the stock of affordable housing to our Homeless Veterans/Veterans with families, Homeless Transgender and Displaced Transitional Aged Youth. The provision of providing safe, high-quality homes as well as job training programs creates a lasting social impact for those we serve. Our overarching goal is developing housing alternatives and training this at-risk population one relies on the other.


There is a growing need to find affordable housing accommodations for this vulnerable population. Addressing the housing shortage is critical with new affordable housing construction not keeping pace with demand. Our solution to the Housing Shortage is purchasing single family homes and adding an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) in the rear yard. An ADU is a permanent home fully permitted and in compliance with all City and State building requirements and a Certificate of Occupancy. It is a secondary home with independent living facilities for families designed to match the primary house. The ADU’s developed by the team range from approximately 600 SF., 2 bedrooms/ 1 bath unit to a 860 SF., 3 Bedrooms/2 Baths, full kitchen, dining room/living room with a secure outdoor yard with pet friendly space. The ADU’s are within one-half mile of public transit. They are centrally located near neighborhood schools, shopping and employment facilities. We anticipate that a community with others experiencing the same type of challenges and residing in these houses will be an anchor for future prosperity for these individuals that have fallen on hardship.


The key to success in this housing model is social services which we have included in the housing program for the residents.  This is accomplished by a comprehensive Health/Mental health assessment, a wrap-around service approach emphasizing positive development, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering independence and the continued linkage to services at VOALA (for depression, PTSI, substance abuse, gender related issues, etc.,).


We have reached out to the Veteran population in Los Angeles City and County with prospects of developing Mini Home Communities in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  We are reaching out to the Veteran/TAY population especially those who are interested in exploring a career path. The initial selection of candidates will be current clients of VOALA.  This process will entail a formal interview process – application, interview, if applicable documentation of military service and employment willingness. Our relationship with two High Schools in Los Angeles will offer positive career paths for their graduates in the form of specialized training programs. Our training programs will entail on-site construction training for site preparation. Site preparation includes almost most areas of construction such as grading and excavation, foundations and concrete, plumbing and electrical connections, green technology, elevation design and implementation, landscape and finish work. During the on-site training process, students obtain the required experience for a construction related certification and/or general contractors license.


Utilizing VOALA speciality programming for the Veteran/TAY population engaging in treatment services, recovery services, shelter/housing and a highly successful job training program through their Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) aka “Helping Veterans Receive Paychecks”, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Veterans Service Center, HUD-VASH Program, Youth Build, Battle Buddy to name a few. These programs ensure our Veterans/TAY clients receive the employment and training services they need to secure gainful employment.


AVMHB Offices are located in the heart of Skid Row in the City of Los Angeles. Our Team is comprised of construction and business personnel with the experience that makes us a leader in the renovation of single-family residences and the installer of Accessory Dwelling Units.Our expertise in this process is evidenced by multiple home purchases and the purchases/placements of ADU’s in the rear yard. Our plan is topurchasemultiple ADU’s at a total monthly value of One Million dollars addressing our commitment to ending homelessness.


Taking a realistic approach to the shortage of skilled construction workers, we are finalizing the development of a Construction Apprenticeship Program for our residents. This will entail working at a specific Warehouse site for a Manufactured Housing Corporation at an entry level construction job; painting/molding, framing, floor and carpet installation, insulation, etc., The long-term goal (within 2 years) is that the current entry level trainees develop a skill-set for advancement at various facilities to attain a higher paying construction job/position.


Our target for completion of each property isattaining occupancy 30 days after issuance of building permits. It is important that the Community embrace and understand the intent and purpose of our projects, in the hope we can successfully achieve our goals. The residents develop a sense of community responsibility and participation.  Our approach to finding a solution that aids in housing and employment will provide positive impact to the Disabled/Homeless Veterans/ Transgender/Transitional Aged Youth populations allowing growth and contribution to their communities. This pride and sense of Community will be evidenced by the practice of being a good neighbor, environmentally responsible and the establishment of new roots in a stable neighborhood.