FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2025
Press contact: Edie Irons, [email protected], 415-275-2060
New employment program launches to prevent and address homelessness
Homes and Jobs Connect trains people in housing support programs for property management jobs, boosting both housing and economic stability
(San Francisco, CA) All Home and its nonprofit partners have launched a new program that connects people at risk of homelessness to careers in property management, with the potential to be a new workforce development model for the Bay Area and beyond.
“Homes and Jobs Connect bridges the gap between two systems that should be working hand in hand, but don’t usually match up or coordinate very well,” said Jay Banfield, Chief Economic Mobility Officer at All Home, the regional organization that created and coordinates Homes and Jobs Connect. “Usually, housing programs don’t have the resources to help people gain and retain quality jobs, and workforce development programs don’t take into account the needs of people experiencing housing insecurity.”
The program kicked off in March 2025 with 21 participants, who will be matched with employers for high-demand property management roles after completing a paid industry-specific training program provided by JobTrain. Multiple program partners provide support services to help participants stay housed, and overcome other barriers to accessing employment, such as transportation or completing a GED. Homes and Jobs Connect participants are recipients of Rapid Re-Housing, which subsidizes rental housing for a limited time, or other temporary supportive housing assistance.
“Rapid Re-Housing is a crucial tool to bring people who are newly experiencing homelessness back into housing, but after that major goal is achieved, people need income to stay stably housed,” said Jamie Almanza, MBA, CEO of Bay Area Community Services. “Homes and Jobs Connect fosters long-term housing stability by building skills and resources for financial independence.” BACS and Abode Services both refer Rapid Re-Housing and other supportive housing clients to the training program.
It takes a variety of partners to make Homes and Jobs Connect successful. All Home created the concept, convened the partners, and coordinates the program. JobTrain, a leading provider of workforce education, administers the training. Affordable housing developers such as MidPen Housing have property management roles waiting to be filled by the program’s graduates. YUPRO Placement is the staffing agency matching participants to employers and facilitating their success. REDF and a number of employment social enterprises, such as Downtown Streets Team, can offer transitional job experience and training to any participants who may not be ready to complete the full property management course.
“We see the impact paid job training makes in peoples’ lives, setting them up for success in well-paying career paths,” said Kwanée Womack, Director of Career Training and Education at JobTrain. “We also see what a challenge housing stability can be for our trainees, and we jumped at the chance to partner on a program that provides career training while ensuring housing stability.”
Another feature of the program is its alignment with a high-demand industry and employers with open roles to fill, ensuring that there are quality jobs waiting for participants who complete their training. Property management is just the first such industry, but Homes and Jobs Connect aims to expand into other hot job markets. As the program seeks to take root across the Bay Area, it will also draw participants from other housing and homelessness response programs, aside from Rapid Re-Housing.
“Property management staff are vital members of our team, supporting our residents and enriching the culture of our communities,” said Ann Gregory Goggins, Chief Operating Officer of MidPen Housing. “These jobs have full benefits and room for growth and career advancement. We have found that people with a wide range of backgrounds and experience can really shine in these roles.”
Three more cohorts of participants will complete the program over the next 12 months.
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For more information about Homes and Jobs Connect, visit allhomeca.org/homes-and-jobs-connect.
