Group Homes

As warm, comfortable and vital alternatives to extended care, the group homes of The Serra Project operate on the premise that compassion, security and a positive environment provide the most lasting links to a healthy lifestyle.

In 1988, The Serra Project opened the first group home in the City of Los Angeles to house and care for homeless persons struggling with symptomatic HIV and AIDS. Today, with four group homes licensed as Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill (RCFCI's), it operates the longest-running assisted-living program for persons with AIDS in Los Angeles County. Casa Los Angeles is in the Pico-Crenshaw area, Casa Madona is situated near Downtown Los Angeles and Casa Portiuncula/Long Beach and Casa de Corazon are in the southern part of Los Angeles County.

Under the direction of on-site residence managers, homes are staffed around the clock by caring, bilingual/bicultural certified nursing assistants (C.N.A.'s) trained to handle medical emergencies and supervise medication. C.N.A.'s also clean and disinfect the homes and prepare nutritionally balanced, HIV-specific meals that accommodate the complex requirements of anti-retroviral therapy. A nurse case management team (registered nurse and licensed clinical social worker) provides on-site medical, nursing and social services. For services not provided on site, residents are linked with outside providers.

Designed exclusively for single women and women with children, Casa Madona is the only AIDS-housing facility of its kind in California. It exists to keep families together and assists mothers, whenever possible, in reunification with their children. More than half of Casa Madona's residents have been children.


Although the RCFCI group homes of The Serra Project have always cared for those in the greatest need,all group-home clients receive assistance in developing the skills they need to transition to independent, permanent housing. For those whose health permits, The Serra Project's Community Housing Options at Independent Supported Sites (CHOISS) Program is a natural destination. Since 1988, the group homes of The Serra Project have housed more than 600 persons living below the poverty line with HIV/AIDS.