A basket of Granny Smith apples rests on a straw welcome mat reads “all are welcome here.”
Image Description: A basket of Granny Smith apples rests on a straw welcome mat reads “all are welcome here.”

Our Mission

We are missional landlords, renting to people experiencing chronic homelessness by utilizing the permanent supportive housing model.

Our Model

Our business model relies on collaboration with community stakeholders who are invested in reducing chronic homelessness in Orange County using the housing first model. WelcomeHomeOC is a landlord initiative in partnership with Orange County United Way and Public Housing Authorities, which offers financial incentives such as double security deposits, holding fees, and damage mitigation to landlords who rent apartment units to people with housing vouchers.

Many people who are chronically homeless (have been homeless for at least one year, or four episodes in three years, and have a diagnosable disability) qualify for housing vouchers but cannot find a landlord who will rent to them. We plan to purchase a condo for the purpose of offering quality permanent supportive housing to people who have experienced homelessness in Orange County.

Tenants go through a Coordinated Entry System which includes a background check and income eligibility certification process before they are eligible for a housing voucher. Many people who are housed through WelcomeHomeOC are veterans, disabled people, and youth who have recently aged out of the foster care system. Jubilee Homes will rent to them through the WelcomeHomeOC program, which offers financial sustainability and security to our organization and donors.

Since the program began in 2018, WelcomeHomeOC has housed over 250 individuals and has had zero evictions. The program has a low turnover rate (5.6% compared to the Orange County average of 19.5%) and a rent collection rate of 100%. WelcomeHomeOC is nationally recognized by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a “best-practice program” and endorsed by the Apartment Association of Orange County (AAOC) and California Apartment Association (CAA).

Purchasing a condo to offer permanent supportive housing might not eradicate homelessness in all of Orange County, but it can end the cycle of chronic homelessness for one household at a time, and allow them to flourish. Over time, this life-changing opportunity will transform the community through a compassionate, tenant-based housing first model.

Image Description: A key is attached to a keychain of a red, white, and grey house.