A new RAND evaluation finds Los Angeles County's Breaking Barriers program is helping people leaving jail or prison secure and keep housing, a key step advocates say in preventing reincarceration and chronic homelessness. The report lands just as county leaders are weighing how to scale reentry supports that combine rental subsidies with employment and case management.
Key findings from the RAND evaluation
The evaluation examined 460 participants and found that 56% obtained rental subsidies and secured housing. Among those who received subsidies, 83% remained housed after one year. Of participants who exited the program after receiving subsidies, 61% achieved positive outcomes, such as taking over rent, transitioning to Section 8, or moving into other permanent housing, while 12% experienced negative outcomes such as reincarceration or a return to homelessness. Across all exits, reincarceration accounted for about 8%. The analysis covered March 2023 through December 2025 and cautioned that the results show associations, not definitive cause and effect, as reported by MyNewsLA.
How the county runs Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers is operated by the county’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department and pairs rapid-rehousing rental subsidies with housing navigation, intensive case management, employment services and flexible financial assistance. Nonprofit contractors, including Brilliant Corners for housing supports and Chrysalis for job services, deliver those services under county contracts. The program's materials say the goal is for participants to "transition in place" by taking over rent after a period of subsidy and support, as outlined by JCOD.
Partners praise the model
In a statement to MyNewsLA, Brilliant Corners CEO William Pickel said the evaluation shows that "housing is the key to breaking the cycle between incarceration and homelessness." Chrysalis president Mark Loranger told the outlet that "stable housing creates the foundation" and that employment is necessary for people to sustain stability over time. Providers said the link between higher engagement with staff and better housing outcomes underscores the value of wraparound services.
Context and caveats
County records and past RAND work show Breaking Barriers has been promoted for reducing recidivism and improving intergenerational outcomes, but implementation challenges such as landlord reluctance and funding constraints persist. A Board of Supervisors motion and other county files have previously cited RAND evaluations when defending or restoring program support, and earlier RAND reports noted the need for careful study designs to measure causal impact. Those county documents and prior evaluations provide crucial context for interpreting the new analysis from RAND. Los Angeles County and the RAND Corporation have previously documented program outcomes and implementation lessons.
What’s next
Advocates and providers say the evaluation gives local leaders evidence to expand integrated reentry housing programs, while researchers caution that more rigorous, longer-term studies are needed to confirm direct effects. The new analysis is likely to factor into county budget and contracting conversations as officials weigh how to invest in reentry supports in the months ahead.
