Adrianne Hillman and Erin Garner-Ford, 2026 Leadership Award Recipients

Описание: Adrianne Hillman and Erin Garner-Ford are reimagining how rural communities respond to homelessness. Through their work at Salt + Light in Tulare County, the leaders show that dignity-centered, permanent supportive housing can truly change lives. Since launching the organization in 2019, the leaders have helped more than 250 people move from homelessness into stable homes, about 20% of the current homeless population in Tulare County. In 2024, Hillman and Garner-Ford established Neighborhood Village — California’s first rural permanent supportive housing community of its kind — featuring 53 thoughtfully designed homes in a walkable, connected neighborhood. The Village offers on-site services to promote long-term stability, including case management, mobile health and dental care, mental health support, employment training, and nutrition programs. What sets their model apart is the way it blends intentional design with deep community partnership. By involving the broader community and prioritizing dignity at every turn, the organization reduces stigma and ensures residents are seen and welcomed as neighbors. In a region where social challenges often fall to law enforcement, Hillman and Garner-Ford are introducing an alternative model that connects housing with comprehensive support services to better meet community needs.