With domestic violence cases spiking at the beginning of the pandemic and the regional shelter system at capacity, Project Safe Haven launched to provide safe housing, meals and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence. Project Safe Haven served as the largest emergency domestic violence shelter in the country and increased the County’s shelter bed capacity by 150%. 

The program provided 16 weeks of support for victims of domestic abuse including shelter, meals and counseling and legal support for individuals and their children. Shelter was provided via partnerships with hotels throughout Los Angeles that agreed to provide rooms at a discounted rate, and meals were provided via reloadable direct-cash cards that were designated for use at grocery stores and other retail locations where survivors and their families could purchase food. Counseling and legal support were provided by nonprofit agencies that specialized in domestic violence and trafficking prevention; these agencies were responsible for intake of survivors and case management for the duration of each individual’s stay in the program.

At the peak of the pandemic, Project Safe Haven was housing 140 people a week.