The City of Baldwin Park has received the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Housing Programs and Innovations from the League of California Cities. The honor was presented to city staff Thursday during the Cal Cities Annual Conference in Long Beach, recognizing Baldwin Park’s work through its Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes interim housing facilities.
Since their openings in 2021 and 2022, the two programs have helped drive an 80 percent reduction in homelessness citywide, marking one of the region’s most significant turnarounds in recent years.
“This award is a powerful affirmation of what Baldwin Park stands for: compassion, innovation and community,” said Mayor Alejandra Avila. “Our city chose to believe that homelessness could be addressed with dignity and humanity, and that belief has changed lives.”
Housing Programs Lead to 80 Percent Reduction
According to city data, Baldwin Park has reduced homelessness from 556 individuals in 2020 to 108 in 2025. Esperanza Villa, which opened in November 2021, offers 25 individual units for adults, each designed for a 90-day stay. Serenity Homes, launched in September 2022, provides 16 family-centered units for stays of three to six months.
Together, these facilities deliver private, climate-controlled spaces furnished with full-size beds, locking doors and ADA-compliant amenities. Each site includes multilingual support and culturally responsive staff, ensuring equitable service across Baldwin Park’s diverse community.
“Baldwin Park’s achievements reflect what can happen when every part of local government works toward a shared purpose,” Avila said. “Our departments, staff and partners collaborated relentlessly to build programs that treat every person with dignity while delivering measurable, lasting results.”
Comprehensive Support and Family Stability
Serenity Homes includes dedicated spaces for children, supporting education and healthy development while families stabilize their housing situations. Both programs also offer computer labs that enable residents to continue schooling, apply for jobs and reconnect with community networks.
Case management and wraparound services are provided through a partnership with City Net, a nonprofit specializing in homelessness response. Staff help participants secure permanent housing, access healthcare and employment, and reconnect with supportive services.
State and Regional Recognition for Results
The Helen Putnam Award follows Baldwin Park’s recent 2025 Southern California Association of Governments Sustainability Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability, which honored the city’s Homeless Reduction Initiative. Both recognitions highlight Baldwin Park’s comprehensive approach to creating sustainable, humane solutions to homelessness.
Mayor Avila said the awards underscore the city’s commitment to long-term progress. “Together, we’ve built a model of hope for cities across California,” she said.
For more information about Baldwin Park’s Homeless Reduction Initiative, visit baldwinpark.com/537/Homeless-Services.
