Tag: Burbank Temporary Aid Center

On Thursday, February 12, Home Again LA and the City of Burbank proudly hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Home Again LA Access Center. The ceremony marked not just the start of construction, but the beginning of a bold new chapter in how our community supports families facing housing instability.

For more than 15 years, Home Again LA has faithfully served Burbank families, operating out of a modest apartment unit while helping thousands of residents avoid or overcome homelessness. From providing security deposit assistance and eviction prevention funds to offering utility assistance, financial literacy workshops, and pathways to homeownership, HALA has been a lifeline for families navigating difficult times. In 2021, the organization raised over $1 million to help Burbank residents and landlords stay afloat during uncertain times.

Now, with the development of the Access Center, that impact will expand dramatically.

The new facility will house all of HALA’s services under one roof, creating a centralized hub of support for Burbank residents. Most notably, the Access Center will feature four on-site studio homes where unhoused families can live for up to 90 days. During their stay, families will work side by side with HALA’s professional staff to secure permanent housing and regain stability. This short-term transitional housing model will provide not just shelter, but comprehensive case management and personalized support designed to help families successfully return to permanent homes. 

In addition to short-term housing, the Access Center will continue to provide critical community services, including:

• Security deposit assistance
• Eviction prevention funding
• Utility assistance
• Financial literacy and homeownership workshops
• Connections to additional community resources

By moving from an apartment-based operation into a purpose-built facility, HALA will be able to serve more families, offer enhanced programming, and create a welcoming, dignified space for residents seeking help.

Construction is slated to begin this February, with completion anticipated in early 2027. Once finished, the Home Again LA Access Center will stand as a symbol of partnership, compassion, and proactive leadership in addressing housing instability in Burbank.

The groundbreaking ceremony was more than a photo opportunity; it was a promise. A promise that families experiencing hardship will not face it alone. A promise that Burbank continues to invest in solutions that uplift its residents. And a promise that Home Again LA’s mission, to help families transition from homelessness to permanent housing, will grow stronger than ever in the years ahead.

Two local nonprofits are joining forces to strengthen support for families facing homelessness, laying the foundation to expand their collective impact.

Home Again Los Angeles (HALA) and the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) will merge, leveraging their unique strengths to expand assistance for the region’s most vulnerable residents.

BTAC has served as a centralized resource for Burbank’s most vulnerable residents since it was founded in 1974, offering essential services like providing groceries, hygiene items, household goods, laundry services, shower facilities and more. HALA was established in 2010 by local congregations and volunteers to provide shelter and services for families with children, including housing navigation, transitional housing, security deposit assistance and more. Over the years, both organizations have supported the low-income community through food distribution, rental/utility assistance, temporary shelter, and housing programs.

“This merger is about more than combining organizations,” said Albert Hernandez, the current HALA CEO who will lead the newly merged nonprofit. “It’s about coming together as a community to respond to growing needs with compassion and collaboration.”

As BTAC’s longtime executive director, Barbara Howell will retire November 1 after more than 20 years of service, focusing on recovering her health following an extended medical leave. “One of the things I will miss the most will be my interactions and friendships with BTAC’s amazing volunteers, donors, partners and friends,” Howell said in an October 15th email. “Your support and friendship have not only supported marginalized members of our community but have enriched my life.”

The merged entity will operate under Home Again LA’s umbrella but maintain BTAC’s name for food services, preserving the organization’s half-century community legacy.

The merger process is actively underway, and both organizations are committed to ensuring services remain uninterrupted while laying the foundation for a stronger, more impactful nonprofit dedicated to serving families across the region.