Despite no transition plan from HealthNet, staff and partners mobilize to protect participants’ safety, even amid painful layoffs and closures
Los Angeles, CA—Friday, Oct. 10—Following HealthNet’s termination of its contract without cause or a transition plan, Soul Housing has been working nonstop with city and nonprofit partners to safeguard participants and ensure continuity of care wherever possible. The loss of funding has forced painful layoffs and facility closures, but staff have continued showing up every day to identify safe placements, coordinate transportation, and maintain stability for those affected.
“This is a massive task, but our team is coming together and doing everything possible to put participants first,” said Veronica Lemos, community program manager. “We’re working so hard to place everyone who wanted a bed, and our community partners and nonprofits stepped up in huge ways to help.”
Teams across multiple facilities have been collaborating to make the transition as smooth as possible while offering reassurance and logistical support to participants navigating uncertainty.
Although HealthNet member Janice Shaw said she had not received any information from her health insurance provider about the changes, she said she trusted Soul Housing to place her somewhere safe.
“It’s been beautiful,” Shaw said. “Everyone has been very kind and I really have no complaints. I trust that God has me.”
Participant Aadonis Stokes expressed disappointment in leaving after finding stability and care he hadn’t experienced elsewhere.
“The whole setup, it’s better,” Stokes said. “Comparing this one versus the rest of the places I’ve been in, they have better food, they have, like, hotel cleaning staff that comes every day, [and] it’s safer inside.”
Stokes said he especially appreciated Soul Housing’s converted hotel model, laundry delivery, and visiting barbers.
“The last place I was at, they never did anything like that,” he said. “And the place before that, they did nothing like that.”
Participant Nicole Nailor, who goes by “Ravyn,” described her emotional reaction when she first heard rumors about the closure.
“I heard someone say they were shutting down, and I started crying,” Nailor said. “The manager here, she hugged me and said, ‘You’re safe. Don’t worry.’ There’s been multiple times where I’ve been really upset, and they just come over and they give me a hug.”
Lemos said that kind of care and responsiveness reflects Soul Housing’s ongoing adaptive approach, which has included staff visits to transition sites to confirm safe landings.
“The situation is difficult, but we’re collecting feedback and adapting our processes in real time,” Lemos said. “We’re listening to participants and we’re making improvements as we go to make sure we’re doing the very best we can, under the circumstances.”
José Betancourt, one of many staff members affected by layoffs, said that despite the uncertainty, he remains focused on helping participants through the transition.
“I loved working here,” Betancourt said. “I understand what’s happening, but I wish it wasn’t. But this whole week I’ve been staying knowledgeable about what’s going on and keeping them calm.”
Nailor said the entire Soul Housing staff had gone above and beyond to support residents through the transition, but that José Betancourt’s dedication stood out in particular.
“José, he’s been helping us like crazy. Even though he’s being let go, he’s still been helping us out like crazy,” Nailor said. “Staff were amazing.”
Betancourt said he shares participants’ sadness but feels proud of what he accomplished while with the organization, particularly when it came to the safe transitions of participants.
“Thank you, Soul Housing,” Betancourt said. “I leave with gratitude in my heart.”
About Soul Housing
Founded in 2016, Soul Housing provides short-term, medically supported housing for individuals transitioning from hospitalization or unsheltered conditions. With 24/7 clinical staffing, behavioral health services, and a proven care advocacy model, Soul Housing specializes in stabilizing high-acuity participants who do not require hospitalization but need more than shelter. Its recovery-centered environments emphasize structure, safety, and human dignity by meeting people where they are while helping them move forward.
Despite no transition plan from HealthNet, staff and partners mobilize to protect participants’ safety, even amid painful layoffs and closures
Los Angeles, CA—Friday, Oct. 10—Following HealthNet’s termination of its contract without cause or a transition plan, Soul Housing has been working nonstop with city and nonprofit partners to safeguard participants and ensure continuity of care wherever possible. The loss of funding has forced painful layoffs and facility closures, but staff have continued showing up every day to identify safe placements, coordinate transportation, and maintain stability for those affected.
“This is a massive task, but our team is coming together and doing everything possible to put participants first,” said Veronica Lemos, community program manager. “We’re working so hard to place everyone who wanted a bed, and our community partners and nonprofits stepped up in huge ways to help.”
Teams across multiple facilities have been collaborating to make the transition as smooth as possible while offering reassurance and logistical support to participants navigating uncertainty.
Although HealthNet member Janice Shaw said she had not received any information from her health insurance provider about the changes, she said she trusted Soul Housing to place her somewhere safe.
“It’s been beautiful,” Shaw said. “Everyone has been very kind and I really have no complaints. I trust that God has me.”
Participant Aadonis Stokes expressed disappointment in leaving after finding stability and care he hadn’t experienced elsewhere.
“The whole setup, it’s better,” Stokes said. “Comparing this one versus the rest of the places I’ve been in, they have better food, they have, like, hotel cleaning staff that comes every day, [and] it’s safer inside.”
Stokes said he especially appreciated Soul Housing’s converted hotel model, laundry delivery, and visiting barbers.
“The last place I was at, they never did anything like that,” he said. “And the place before that, they did nothing like that.”
Participant Nicole Nailor, who goes by “Ravyn,” described her emotional reaction when she first heard rumors about the closure.
“I heard someone say they were shutting down, and I started crying,” Nailor said. “The manager here, she hugged me and said, ‘You’re safe. Don’t worry.’ There’s been multiple times where I’ve been really upset, and they just come over and they give me a hug.”
Lemos said that kind of care and responsiveness reflects Soul Housing’s ongoing adaptive approach, which has included staff visits to transition sites to confirm safe landings.
“The situation is difficult, but we’re collecting feedback and adapting our processes in real time,” Lemos said. “We’re listening to participants and we’re making improvements as we go to make sure we’re doing the very best we can, under the circumstances.”
José Betancourt, one of many staff members affected by layoffs, said that despite the uncertainty, he remains focused on helping participants through the transition.
“I loved working here,” Betancourt said. “I understand what’s happening, but I wish it wasn’t. But this whole week I’ve been staying knowledgeable about what’s going on and keeping them calm.”
Nailor said the entire Soul Housing staff had gone above and beyond to support residents through the transition, but that José Betancourt’s dedication stood out in particular.
“José, he’s been helping us like crazy. Even though he’s being let go, he’s still been helping us out like crazy,” Nailor said. “Staff were amazing.”
Betancourt said he shares participants’ sadness but feels proud of what he accomplished while with the organization, particularly when it came to the safe transitions of participants.
“Thank you, Soul Housing,” Betancourt said. “I leave with gratitude in my heart.”
About Soul Housing
Founded in 2016, Soul Housing provides short-term, medically supported housing for individuals transitioning from hospitalization or unsheltered conditions. With 24/7 clinical staffing, behavioral health services, and a proven care advocacy model, Soul Housing specializes in stabilizing high-acuity participants who do not require hospitalization but need more than shelter. Its recovery-centered environments emphasize structure, safety, and human dignity by meeting people where they are while helping them move forward.