Last December, Courtney Peterson, a single mother, lost her job at a now-closed inpatient transitional living program, which had provided her with enough income to afford a studio apartment in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles. Worried about making rent in January, Peterson began searching for assistance options. She reached out to local churches and organizations that offered rent help but found that many required active eviction notices. Feeling desperate, she contacted various resources with no success. Fortunately, Peterson received a letter from the Homelessness Prevention Unit of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services instead of an eviction notice. This letter offered her a lifeline through a pilot program that uses predictive artificial intelligence to identify individuals and families at risk of homelessness and provide them with aid to stabilize their housing. The program has been successful in serving close to 800 individuals and families since its launch in 2021.

According to Dana Vanderford, associate director of homelessness prevention at the county's Department of Health Services, 86 percent of participants have managed to maintain permanent housing upon leaving the program. The program provides individuals and families with access to funding ranging from $4, 000 to $8, 000, with most of the funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Act. Identifying and convincing eligible individuals of the program's authenticity can be challenging, but once contact is established, assistance is promptly provided. The program aims to intervene early, meeting clients shortly after a housing crisis or medical emergency occurs. Peterson and her son received around $8, 000 from the program to cover their rent, utilities, and basic needs, allowing them to remain in their apartment as she seeks new employment. The program works with clients for four months, conducts follow-ups at the six-month, 12-month, and 18-month marks, and offers ongoing support after discharge. Case workers like Amber Lung, who assisted Peterson, emphasize the importance of preventive measures in maintaining housing stability. Lung affirms that once individuals lose their housing, it becomes significantly more challenging for them to regain stability. By providing support at critical moments, the program aims to bridge gaps and help individuals retain their housing rather than end up in shelters or on the streets.