A Sense of Home creates first-ever homes for youth aging out of foster care with donated furniture and home goods.
REQUEST ASSISTANCE
Are you a former foster youth in need of furniture for your first home?
You’re just steps away from having your own home creation
- Apply online + upload required documents:
- Apartment lease in your name
- Verification of aging out of foster care
- School and/or work verification
- Phone interview + Zoom with ASOH team member
- Your eligibility will be confirmed and we will explain the process and timeline
- Share important info with the ASOH Team
- Upload photos of your apartment
- Text or email a short video of your apartment
- Upload photos of your family and achievements
- Schedule your Home Creation
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must not reside in transitional housing.
- Applicants must have their name on the lease of their first ever rented unit. Or if a student is renting a room, must how a valid student ID card.
- Applicants must be requesting assistance for their first home. For purposes of eligibility, your first home is the first place of residence where you were a signer of the lease. If you have been a signer of a residential lease previously, you can take advantage of our Resource Network.
- Applicants must show documentation verifying that they have aged out of the foster care system. Here’s all the ways you can obtain such documentation.
- Applicants must be working or going to school (or a combination of work and school) for at least 30 hours per week.
If you meet all of the above eligibility criteria, please complete our application below. If you are unsure if you qualify please email: youth@asenseofhome.org
Apply Online Now
At this time, we are accepting applications for assistance from former foster youth who reside in the greater Los Angeles area.
Acknowledgement and Acceptance
By completing ASOH application for service you agree that you have read the above Eligibility Criteria and FAQ sections in full and that you meet our Eligibility Criteria in full. You further understand and accept that the furniture and housewares you are requesting have been received as donations to A Sense of Home. Therefore, the items you will receive have mostly been previously used. While we do our best to provide you items with minimal wear and damage, you understand that they are not in brand new condition. Once the items are placed in your home, they belong to you and A Sense of Home does not make repairs or replacements of the items.
ASOH does not remove any furniture from your home. Your home must be totally empty on the day of your on-site Home Creation. Your small personal belongings should be tucked away in the shower/bathtub while our volunteers are working in your home. Should ASOH make an exception to this policy, ASOH will donate removed furniture to other recipients; furniture will not be stored or returned.
Furthermore, ASOH will make the final determination of whether an applicant will receive an entire home creation or be invited to obtain specific items from the warehouse. This determination is made based on various factors including the availability of volunteer teams to conduct home creations, the furniture applicants currently have inside the home, and the geographic location of the home.
ASOH accepts one additional request for additional furniture or housewares from recipients for up to one year after initial onboarding. This benefit may only be used once. The qualification criteria applicable to initial assistance would also apply for repeat requests with priority given to first-time requests. At its discretion, management may make exceptions to this policy when the safety or security of recipients and/or their children is endangered.
For other resources available in California, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral to apply. You can apply directly to our service by completing the application below.
What is your selection process?
All former foster youth who meet our Eligibility Criteria qualify for our service.
Do I need to have a lease before I complete my application?
No, you can apply even before having your lease in hand.
What is the process to receiving services from ASOH?
Step 1: Complete online application and turn in all required documents.
Step 2: Conduct over-the-phone interview with Program Director.
Step 3: Eligibility for services is determined by PD.
Step 4: Complete Zoom interview with PD and PA.
Step 5: Applicant is scheduled for services.
I completed the application, what’s the next step?
Our team will reach out to you within three business days to review your application with you.
What is the difference between a Home Creation and a Warehouse Pickup?
Home Creations are when a team of volunteers come to your empty home to install donated furniture in under 2 hours. A Warehouse Pickup is when recipients bring a truck and pickup specific items for their home.
What determines whether I will receive a Home Creation or a Warehouse Pickup?
Warehouse Pickups are for applicants who meet our Eligibility Criteria and have one or more of the following:
- Geographic location restrictions
- Only need some items
- Roommate is not former foster youth
- Have received services previously from ASOH
To organize and host a Home Creation, all of the following criteria must be met:
- The home ASOH is hosting a Home Creation for must be a completely empty unit. Closets and bathtubs can be filled with personal items. ASOH may make exceptions to certain furniture pieces.
- Adherence to geographic limitations (typically 35-45 miles radius from our warehouse).
- Recipient must meet all eligibility requirements as listed in our Eligibility Criteria.
- If the home has had any pest or insect infestations, ASOH must receive evidence of remedy prior to scheduling a Home Creation.
When will I receive furniture?
This depends on a multitude of factors, but the turnaround time can be as little as 2 days or a 3-8 week wait.
What is a pickup?
A Sense of Home cannot always provide a full installation Home Creation. In these cases, we ask the recipient to rent a Uhaul and come and pick up everything for your home! We walk you through the placement of items and load the truck for you!
I saw a piece of furniture in another home, can I have the same?
ASOH runs off donations, our inventory changes weekly. We encourage you to share what you like in the phone interview but cannot guarantee any furniture pieces.
I received a full home creation before, can I get it again?
Priority goes to first time applicants. ASOH provides furnishings typically one time. In cases in which the safety or security of the recipient and/or their children is endangered, management may determine you are eligible for a second service. Please email youth@asenseofhome.org to determine eligibility. Most second requests are not granted due to our policies.
I’m renting a room, can I still receive services?
Yes, if you are renting a room as a student, without a lease, you can apply! If you are a non-student renting a room with a lease, you can apply! If you are renting a room, you are still eligible for a full home furnishings once you get your very own place.
What is the age limit?
A Sense of Home does not have an age limit, it must be your first apartment where you are the leaseholder.
I have a roommate, can you provide them furniture?
Only if they are former foster youth and meet our eligibility requirements. They would need to fill out a full application as well.
Does ASOH provide housing?
No, for housing and other resources available in California for Transition Age Youth (TAY) and former foster youth please click here.
© 2023 Copyright A Sense of Home,
A tax exempt charitable organization qualified under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Tax ID# 47-3814056.
© 2023 Copyright A Sense of Home
Request Assistance - A Sense of Home