We can help you fuel your passion to impact homelessness.

Homelessness is a hot button topic, but what exactly is it? USC faculty are at the forefront of understanding the underlying causes of homelessness as well as the unique social, emotional, and healthcare needs of people experiencing homelessness.

USC provides MSW students with exclusive access to the annual Greater LA Homeless Count.

Social work students at USC help collect data and complete data analysis to directly impact how funds are allocated for homelessness services across the county. Learn more about how our students play a leadership role in shaping the future of these programs in Los Angeles.

Community Impact from USC Students and Faculty

Photo of hands holding a piece of cardboard cut to look like a house

Permanent Supportive Housing Professor Ben Henwood spearheaded a “Housing First” model for addressing homelessness that is showing real-world results: 95% percent of participants who moved into permanent supportive housing remained there 1 year later.

Improving Women's Health USC's collaborative research model helped LA’s Downtown Women’s Center design programs to meet their client’s health needs.

Accelerated Aging People experiencing homelessness often experience accelerated aging medically due to compounding healthcare needs. Professor Ben Henwood developed a first of its kind housing model to meet the healthcare needs of homeless older adults.

Homeless Veterans in LA 10% of the homeless population are veterans. Our faculty are leading experts on developing models and policies to eliminate veteran homelessness.

men practicing yoga in front of an urban mural

Mindfulness to Reduce Violence Two alumni developed a peer training program called MyPath that uses evidence-based practices to teach mindfulness to youth experiencing homelessness.

Deborah Padgett and Ben Henwood met with Georgia politician Stacy Abrams in Washington D.C.

Informing Political Candidates USC faculty compiled essays from national experts on homeless to influence the conversation about the topic in the 2020 presidential campaign.

Adult Mental Health and Wellness

Focuses on designing social change and leading innovation for individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities on a larger scale.

Go to the AMHW Department Page

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Children, Youth and Families

Prepares students to improve the lives and well-being of children, youth and their families within agencies, institutions, communities, families and other social and organizational contexts.

Go to the CYF Department Page

Social Change and Innovation

Focuses on designing social change and leading innovation for individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities on a larger scale.

Go to the SCI Department Page