One Step Forward (OSF) was incorporated in 1991 with a mission to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across Los Angeles County. Our early work included providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and social support services through the City and County of Los Angeles Cold/Wet Weather Winter Shelter Program, serving more than 375 people nightly in the South Bay and Downtown Los Angeles areas.

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In 1992, OSF expanded into transitional housing through the HUD Dollar‑A‑Year Lease Program. By 1997, OSF became an approved participant in the HUD Housing Disposition Program, leading the purchase, rehabilitation, and resale of over 300 affordable homes for low‑ to moderate‑income and first‑time buyers across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. We also assisted buyers with closing costs to make homeownership more accessible. Following the mortgage crisis, OSF broadened its services to include housing counseling and home‑maintenance education, partnering with JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Fannie Mae to secure discounted REO properties and receiving donated homes from Chase.

OSF also served as a long‑time sponsor of the USDA Summer Food Service Program, earning recognition as “Sponsor of the Year.” The program provided free, nutritious meals to low‑income and homeless youth ages 18 and under. What began as a summer initiative grew into a year‑round operation across nine sites, which included the City of Inglewood, City of Lynwood, The City of Lawndale as well as five (5) Los Angeles public‑housing sites in South Central and East Los Angeles. OSF prepared and served 1,200 meals daily, five days a week — totaling more than 429,000 meals and snacks, while offering fun, safe, and educational activities for youth.

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Today, OSF continues its commitment to helping families and individuals find stability, opportunity, and a place to call home.

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