A Community of Friends

What A Community of Friends does

A Community of Friends (ACOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 to develop, own, and manage Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people with mental illness experiencing homelessness. Headquartered at 3701 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, ACOF currently operates 53 apartment communities comprising 2,467 units across five Southern California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino), housing 2,525 adult tenants and 793 children and youth. The organization applies a Housing First methodology combined with harm reduction principles, pairing subsidized housing (rent capped at 30% of tenant income) with on-site supportive services including case management, mental health recovery, family programming, health services, professional development, and substance use recovery. ACOF reports that more than 90% of tenants remain stably housed for three years or longer.

ACOF's operations are structured around three integrated pillars: Housing Production (real estate development pipeline), Supportive Services (delivered via on-site staff and partnerships with more than 20 third-party social service agencies), and Property Management. The portfolio spans multiple building typologies, including ground-up new construction, adaptive reuse of VA buildings (New Directions Sepulveda I and II), and Homekey hotel conversions (The Nova, Highland Heights). Notable technical capabilities include LEED-certified buildings (Platinum at Villas at Gower and Beverly Terrace; Gold at multiple sites including Arlington Square, New Directions Sepulveda I and II, Lorena Plaza), a Net Zero Energy building (Cedar Springs), and the first graywater re-use system in Los Angeles County multifamily residential. The Tenant Advisory Council (TAC), established in 2013, provides peer-led feedback that influences housing policy and program development. ACOF joined the NeighborWorks America network as a Chartered Member in 2014, holds the GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, and has received 50+ industry awards.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tenant rents (capped at 30% of household income), federal, state, and local government contracts and grants (HUD, HCD, LA County, HACLA, LAHSA, VA), tax credit financing for affordable housing development (over $968 million cumulative since inception), and philanthropic donations (individual, corporate, foundation, planned giving). ACOF accesses PSH tenants through partnerships with government agencies and homeless services authorities — notably the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) — rather than direct application, while general affordable housing units accept direct tenant applications via the website. The organization has no parent company and no private equity or venture capital backing; it is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors under President & CEO Dora Leong Gallo, under whose leadership the portfolio has grown 240%.

Name

A Community of Friends

Legal name

A Community of Friends

Website

https://acof.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

A Community of Friends (ACOF) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops and manages 2,467 units of Permanent Supportive Housing across five Southern California counties, serving homeless individuals with mental illness, veterans, seniors, families, and transition-age youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Behavioral Health–Capable Assisted Living (Mental Health/SUD Support) (HLADABAI)

Keywords

• Permanent supportive housing
• Affordable housing development
• Supportive housing services
• Nonprofit housing developer
• Homeless housing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Affordable Housing Rent: Rent from tenants capped at 30% of household income for affordable units
2. Government Contracts and Grants: Federal, state, and local government funding including HUD, HCD, Los Angeles County, and other public sources for development and operations
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, planned giving, stock donations, IRA charitable distributions, and Donor-Advised Fund grants
4. Tax Credit Financing: Since inception, ACOF has secured over $968 million in financing for affordable housing developments through various mechanisms including tax credits

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

A Community of Friends (ACOF) develops, owns, and manages affordable rental housing combined with on-site supportive services for people experiencing chronic homelessness, with a focus on individuals with mental illness. The organization operates 53 apartment communities comprising 2,467 units across five Southern California counties, delivering Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) under the Housing First model alongside case management, health, and recovery services.

Product overview

A Community of Friends (ACOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing developer providing Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people with mental illness. Founded in 1988, ACOF operates 53 apartment communities with 2,467 units across 5 California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino). The organization combines housing production with three core service pillars: Housing Production (real estate development), Supportive Services (case management, family services, health programs, professional development, substance recovery), and Property Management. Key products include PSH housing units, tenant services programs, the Tenant Advisory Council (peer-led engagement), and Welcome Home Kits for new residents. ACOF's portfolio includes veterans housing, senior housing, family housing, and special needs housing, with buildings pursuing LEED certification for environmental sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Affordable rental housing combined with supportive services for people with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness. ACOF operates 53 apartment communities providing 2,467 units serving 2,525 adult tenants and 793 children and youth across five Southern California counties. Rents are capped at 30% of tenant household income.
• Housing Production Real estate development program overseeing the supportive housing pipeline from site identification through financing and construction. The team manages properties in pre-development and construction, having delivered 53 apartment communities since 1988.
• Case Management Personalized case management provided to every tenant as part of supportive services, helping tenants maintain housing stability, access resources, and achieve recovery goals.
• Family & Children's Services Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ of ACOF tenants remain stably housed for three years or longer
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Related CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2024Co-developer of The Crossroads at Washington (86-unit affordable housing in Santa Ana). Public-private partnership with City of Santa Ana and Orange County.
• Western Community HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2023Co-developer of Liberty Lane Apartments (80-unit veterans supportive housing in Redlands, San Bernardino County). Partnership for development and financing.
• U.S.VETScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2022Co-developer of Ventura Springs (122-unit veterans housing in Ventura County). U.S.VETS provides veteran-specific services on-site. Partnership established at Ventura Springs groundbreaking June 2022.
• Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider at Huntington Square (48-unit senior veteran housing). VA provides healthcare and support services for veteran tenants.
• Los Angeles County Department of Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider partner for Huntington Square, providing health services for senior veteran residents.
• Los Angeles County Department of Mental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal seed funder (1988) and ongoing service provider for mental health support services at ACOF properties.
• Volunteers of America Los AngelesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider at Huntington Square providing supportive services for veteran residents.
• Los Angeles MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand partner for Lorena Plaza development adjacent to Metro Gold Line Indiana Station. Metro provided land for the mixed-use development with 49 affordable housing units and 7,000 sq ft of retail space.
• Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider at The Crossroads at Washington providing individualized services for tenants with disabilities including health services, wellness programs, and skill-building classes.
• The Salvation ArmymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService provider partner at Ventura Springs providing supportive services for veteran residents.
• Gold Coast VeteransminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran services partner at Ventura Springs development.
• Providence Saint Johns Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner at Ventura Springs providing health services for residents.
• Harbor Freight ToolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTool donation partner at Ventura Springs supporting veteran residents.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Sepulveda Ambulatory Care CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround lease partner for New Directions Sepulveda I and II (149 total units for formerly homeless veterans). VA provides land via 75-year ground lease for adaptive reuse of VA buildings.
• Penny Lane CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer and service provider for Rayen Apartments (49-unit development serving foster youth and low-income families).
• Step Up on SecondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst capacity-building social service partnership (1994) for co-developing supportive housing in Santa Monica. Early partner in ACOF's development model.
• Housing Innovation Partners (formerly TACHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego nonprofit created by ACOF in 1994 that now operates five PSH projects in San Diego. ACOF 'paid it forward' by helping create similar organization.
• betterTogether ForeverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for pet wellness clinics at ACOF buildings, providing veterinary services including vaccinations, flea treatments, nail trimming, deworming, microchipping.
• Latino Alliance for Animal Care CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for pet wellness clinics at ACOF buildings in Southern California communities.
• Cliníca RomerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical screening provider conducting health clinics at ACOF apartment buildings for tenant wellness.
• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit established by Congress supporting the NeighborWorks network. ACOF joined as Chartered Member in 2014, receiving technical assistance and network benefits.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Housing Innovation Partners: San Diego nonprofit originally created/spun off by ACOF in 1994 (formerly TACHS), now operating five PSH projects. Closely affiliated peer that replicates ACOF's model in a separate market.

Direct peers

• Skid Row Housing Trust: Los Angeles-based nonprofit Permanent Supportive Housing developer serving chronically homeless individuals. Operates a comparable portfolio of supportive housing units with on-site services in the same geographic market as ACOF.
• Brilliant Corners: California nonprofit supportive housing provider operating scattered-site PSH for people exiting homelessness, including those with mental illness. Comparable mission, service model, and funding approach to ACOF.
• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless): Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing supportive housing and homelessness services across California. Directly comparable in operating PSH, interim housing, and case management for high-acuity populations.
• Linc Housing: Long Beach-based nonprofit affordable and supportive housing developer operating across Southern California. Comparable in mission, unit scale, and integration of housing with supportive services.
• Step Up on Second: Santa Monica-based nonprofit supportive housing operator and ACOF's first social service capacity-building partner (1994). Directly comparable operating model serving mental health and homeless populations.
• Abode Services: California nonprofit providing supportive housing and homelessness services across the Bay Area and beyond. Comparable in serving chronically homeless populations with on-site services and PSH.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing: Large national nonprofit affordable and supportive housing developer with significant California presence. Comparable in mission and PSH delivery, but operates at much greater scale and geographic breadth than ACOF.
• EAH Housing: One of the largest nonprofit affordable housing developers/managers in California with a comparable portfolio of family, senior, and supportive housing. Comparable model and California market footprint.
• Related California: Major for-profit affordable housing developer that co-develops with ACOF (e.g., The Crossroads at Washington). Comparable in California affordable housing development scale but operates as a much larger commercial entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/showcase/9003292
• Facebookfacebook.com/ACommunityofFriends
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a-community-of-friends
• Instagraminstagram.com/acoforg
• Xx.com/ACOForg

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about A Community of Friends