What Ascencia does

Ascencia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Glendale, California, that provides a comprehensive continuum of services to lift homeless individuals and families into permanent housing across Los Angeles County. The organization operates the Access Center at 1851 Tyburn Street, Glendale as its primary service hub, a 45-bed interim housing shelter with designated family rooms, and — as of October 2025 — the 20-bed Holloway Interim Housing Program in West Hollywood. It also manages over 500 units of permanent supportive housing scattered across LA County, including the Gardena 9-unit apartment complex, the 20-unit Burbank H.E.L.P. PSH, and units in Hollywood, Los Feliz, and along the LA River corridor from Studio City to Reseda.

The service delivery model integrates street outreach, emergency shelter, case management, mental health services (trauma therapy, tele-psychiatry, children's art therapy), occupational therapy via a West Coast University partnership, financial literacy programming, hospital-to-housing referrals (BHC Alhambra, MLK Jr., Providence St. Joseph, USC Arcadia), housing navigation, and long-term housing retention support. Ascencia reports a 97-98% one-year housing retention rate, has served over 20,000 individuals cumulatively since inception, and serves approximately 1,200 individuals annually.

Revenue is generated entirely from philanthropy and government contracts: HUD grants (Continuum of Care, Shelter Plus Care, ICMS-PSH), municipal contracts with the cities of Glendale, West Hollywood, Burbank, Los Angeles, and LA County, California Department of Health Care Services Enhanced Care Management (ECM) reimbursement, foundation grants from L.A. Care Health Plan, S.H. Ho Foundation, UniHealth Foundation and 100+ additional funders, individual donations (including a 'Supper Club' recurring donor program), corporate sponsorships, vehicle donations via CARS, planned giving, and donor-advised fund/cryptocurrency/stock giving channels. All services to clients are provided free of charge. Marketing and fundraising is executed through social media, email newsletters, annual galas ($400K+ raised at April 2026 event), earned media in LA Times and regional outlets, and community events. Leadership consists of Executive Director Dr. Laura Duncan (since 2018), Director of Operations Meredith Fleisher, and Director of Development Camille Guerrero, supported by a 17+ member Board of Directors.

Name

Ascencia

Legal name

Ascencia

Website

https://ascenciaca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ascencia is a Glendale-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides street outreach, interim housing, case management, and permanent supportive housing to homeless individuals and families across Los Angeles County, operating 65 shelter beds and 500+ housing units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services
• Interim housing
• Permanent supportive housing
• Street outreach
• Case management

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring financial donations from individuals. Monthly recurring donor program called 'Supper Club' funds meals for shelter residents. Donors can give online, by mail, via stock, crypto, or donor-advised funds.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants/Sponsorships: Major funding from L.A. Care Health Plan, The S.H. Ho Foundation, UniHealth Foundation, and over 100 corporate sponsors and foundation donors listed in their fiscal year donor tiers. Corporate matching gift programs amplify individual donations.
3. Government Contracts: Funded by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants. Contracted by City of Glendale, City of West Hollywood, City of Burbank, City of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County (5th District) for homeless services. State-funded Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program from Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
4. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program operated through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), converting donated vehicles into cash for programs.
5. Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts: Charitable bequests, planned gifts, and estate planning contributions that provide future funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ascencia provides a comprehensive continuum of free homeless services in Los Angeles County, anchored by the 45-bed Access Center shelter and case management hub in Glendale, complemented by street outreach, the 20-bed Holloway Interim Housing Program in West Hollywood, and over 500 units of permanent supportive housing across L.A. County. Support services include case management, mental health services (trauma therapy, tele-psychiatry, children's art therapy, occupational therapy), housing navigation, financial literacy, benefits enrollment, and hospital partnership programs, with a 97% one-year housing retention rate.

Product overview

Ascencia is a nonprofit homeless services organization providing a comprehensive suite of integrated programs to lift people out of homelessness. The core offering centers on the Access Center, which serves as the hub for intake and case management for approximately 1,200 individuals annually. Key services include street outreach, a 45-bed interim shelter in Glendale, and The Holloway Interim Housing Program (20-bed facility opened October 2025 in West Hollywood). The organization operates over 500 units of permanent supportive housing across multiple programs including Continuum of Care, Scattered Site/Housing Now, Next Step PSH, Burbank H.E.L.P. PSH, and Gardena Apartments. Support services include mental health care (trauma therapy, tele-psychiatry, children's art therapy), occupational therapy, financial literacy, case management, housing navigation, and hospital partnership programs. The organization achieves a 97% housing retention rate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Access Center Central hub at 1851 Tyburn Street, Glendale, providing intake, case management, and connection to resources for approximately 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness annually. Houses the 45-bed interim shelter, commercial kitchen and dining room, secure lobby and waiting area, laundry and shower facilities, and main office.
• Street Outreach Teams conduct street outreach in service areas, distributing water, food, blankets, and hygiene kits, and enrolling clients directly from encampments into shelter and housing programs. Operations span Glendale, West Hollywood, Burbank, Hollywood, Los Feliz, and along the LA River corridor from Studio City to Reseda, with evening and Saturday coverage.
• Interim Housing / 45-Bed Shelter Emergency shelter in Glendale providing safe interim housing for vulnerable clients, including designated family rooms. Residents receive a bed, locker, three meals daily, and access to bathrooms, laundry, clothing, hygiene products, and computers.
• The Holloway Interim Housing Program 20-bed facility in West Hollywood providing safe, short-term housing for chronically homeless individuals, offering individualized support, 24/7 onsite staff and security, three meals daily, and structured transition to permanent housing. Operated by Ascencia under contract with the City of West Hollywood; admission by referral only.
• Case Management Individualized case management addressing short and long-term goals including housing navigation, public benefits access, employment assistance, eviction prevention, and transportation help for clients moving through the Ascencia continuum.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Programs A portfolio of over 500 units of permanent housing across Los Angeles County including Continuum of Care (CoC), Scattered Site and Housing Now (28 units), Next Step PSH (8 units), Burbank H.E.L.P. PSH (20 units), Gardena Apartments (9 units), and Shelter Plus Care programs, with housing retention support achieving a 97% one-year retention rate.
• Mental Health Services Comprehensive mental health support including trauma therapy, tele-psychiatry, children's art therapy, and occupational therapy to help clients address barriers to housing; delivered on-site and via partner programs.
• Financial Literacy Program Courses teaching clients how to build financial sustainability, preparing residents to transition back into society once permanently housed; 40+ graduates since 2016.
• Occupational Therapy Program Partnership with West Coast University's Occupational Therapy Program providing occupational engagement and group-based interventions including reintegration courses, stress-relief techniques, and housing readiness workshops; weekly OT-led group sessions at the Access Center.
• Hospital Program (Integrated Health Homes) Hospital partnership program in which frequent ER utilizers are referred to Ascencia's Access Center for 30-day emergency shelter while working to become document-ready, increase income, and obtain housing, reducing hospital readmissions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of clients placed in permanent housing remain housed for at least one year after placement
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ReplateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Replate is a tech-enabled nonprofit that reduces food waste by piping leftover food from businesses to nonprofits serving food-insecure communities. Started in 2024, they pipeline leftover food from Dignity Health Memorial Hospital in Glendale to Ascencia's shelter, keeping fridges stocked.
• West Coast University (Occupational Therapy Program)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership started in 2020 provides occupational engagement and group-based interventions to foster health promotion, housing placement, and stability. OT workshops are held at least once a week, led by OT interns, offering group sessions such as 'Healthy Eating', 'Housing Readiness', and 'Handling Conflict'.
• LA Family HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA Family Housing is the lead agency serving homeless families in San Fernando Valley Service Planning Area 2. Ascencia works with families based on referral from LA Family Housing. Families with minor children are referred directly to LA Family Housing for services at (818) 255-2766 or [email protected].
• Comprehensive Community Health Centers (CCHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating six community health centers in metropolitan Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley. Once per month, their mobile unit comes to Ascencia's Access Center to provide healthcare and services to clients.
• Baby2BabycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaby2Baby provides diapers, clothing, and basic necessities for children ages 0-12 in low-income families. Ascencia works with them to provide baby diapers, clothing, and supplies for families in the emergency shelter and clients in permanent supportive housing.
• Bridge ThriftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridge Thrift is a for-profit corporation that gives 100% of net profits back to local communities. Ascencia partners with their Glassell Park location and receives $1,000 in gift cards every month to give to clients in need of clothing or household items.
• Assistance League of GlendalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssistance League of Glendale donates Welcome Home Baskets to families leaving homelessness each time a new client is housed. In 2023, they launched a new program to provide care kits to new clients entering shelter, including hygiene kit, blanket, personal hygiene items, travel cup, flip-flops, and appointment-tracking planner.
• National Charity League, Inc. (Glendale Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCL Glendale Chapter is a mother-daughter organization fostering community service. Members provide lunches, game nights, and other volunteer projects at Ascencia. They work with over 20 other local philanthropies.
• BHC Alhambra HospitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospital partner in the Integrated Health Homes program. Frequent utilizers of hospital emergency services are referred to Ascencia's Access Center to work with the Hospital Case Manager and Wellness Team, receiving 30 days in emergency shelter while working to become document-ready, increase income, and obtain housing.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Community HospitalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospital partner providing referrals for the Integrated Health Homes program, connecting chronically homeless frequent hospital users to Ascencia's housing and support services.
• Providence St. Joseph Medical CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospital partner providing referrals through the Hospital Case Management program. Also provides food rescue via Dignity Health Memorial Hospital partnership with Replate. Jane Winter, Director of Case Management at Providence St. Joseph, serves on Ascencia's Board of Directors.
• USC Arcadia HospitalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHospital partner providing referrals for chronically homeless individuals to transition to permanent housing through Ascencia's Integrated Health Homes program.
• YWCA of GlendaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAscencia refers clients experiencing domestic violence to the YWCA of Glendale for specialized DV support services at (888) 999-7511.
• Glendale Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic safety partner that collaborates with Ascencia on homeless outreach, including reuniting homeless individuals with family and connecting them to housing services.
• EasyDAFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to make Donor-Advised Fund giving easy for Ascencia's donors. EasyDAF facilitates DAF donations to Ascencia through their platform.
• EasyCryptominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership enabling cryptocurrency donations to Ascencia. EasyCrypto facilitates crypto giving to the organization.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCARS runs Ascencia's Vehicle Donation Program. CARS is an ISO 9001 certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in San Diego that operates vehicle donation programs for other nonprofits. CARS maintains an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Union Station Homeless Services: Pasadena-based homeless services nonprofit operating interim housing, PSH, and case management in the San Gabriel Valley. Closely comparable service model with overlapping LA County geography.
• PATH (People Assisting The Homeless): LA-based homeless services nonprofit from which Ascencia originally spun off in 2011. Operates interim housing, PSH, and case management programs countywide with a comparable Continuum-of-Care service model.
• The Midnight Mission: Historic downtown LA emergency shelter and recovery services provider offering meals, shelter, and case management. Comparable on the emergency shelter/meal service component of Ascencia's Access Center operations.
• Skid Row Housing Trust: LA nonprofit operating permanent supportive housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Directly comparable on the PSH operations side of Ascencia's portfolio.
• Chrysalis: LA-based nonprofit providing employment, case management, and housing-related services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable in targeting the same homeless population in LA County with wraparound support services.
• LAMP Community: Skid Row-based nonprofit operating PSH, interim housing, and supportive services in downtown LA. Directly comparable on PSH and case management services within the same LA County Continuum of Care system.
• LA Family Housing: The lead homeless services agency for San Fernando Valley SPA 2 and a current referral partner of Ascencia. Provides nearly identical Continuum of Care services (outreach, shelter, PSH, case management) across LA County, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• St. Joseph Center: West LA/Santa Monica-area nonprofit providing outreach, housing navigation, case management, and PSH for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable mission, service mix, and LA County geography.

Regional players

• Venice Community Housing: Westside LA nonprofit providing affordable housing, supportive services, and homelessness prevention. Comparable mission and PSH portfolio, but primarily operates in Venice/Mar Vista rather than Ascencia's Glendale/WeHo service area.

Broad incumbents

• Kaiser Permanente Community Health (Homelessness Initiatives): Large health system funder and operator of CalAIM-aligned housing/health programs across California. Less directly comparable as an operator, but acts as both a funding source and a competing entity for hospital-linked housing contracts similar to Ascencia's hospital referral pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ascenciaca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AscenciaCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AscenciaCA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ascenciaca
• Instagraminstagram.com/ascenciaca/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Ascencia