Los Angeles, CA, April 18, 2025 — Ivory Innovations, an applied research center based at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business, today announced Housing for Health and the California Policy Lab as joint Top 10 finalists for its seventh annual Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability. 

The Los Angeles County Housing for Health Division and the California Policy Lab are being recognized for their joint work designing, launching, and managing the Homelessness Prevention Unit (HPU). The HPU uses Artificial Intelligence to identify Los Angeles County households at high risk of homelessness. Experienced case managers then proactively reach out to those individuals and families and provide them with wraparound services and flexible financial assistance to keep them housed. 

Each year, the Ivory Prize recognizes the most ambitious, feasible, and scalable solutions to the critical issue of housing affordability. The award is designed to celebrate and reward innovators for their efforts and provide material support to advance their work. The winners of the 2025 Ivory Prize will be announced on May 20 at 10 a.m. MT on ivoryinnovations.org. 

“The Top 10 finalists for this year’s Ivory Prize are addressing housing affordability with a remarkable mix of ingenuity and dedication,” said Kent Colton who is the Chair of the Ivory Prize Advisory Board for Ivory Innovations at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. “Their efforts highlight the innovative and practical ways we can expand access to housing affordability—whether through financing models that empower buyers, construction advancements that lower costs, or policies that remove barriers to homebuilding.” 

“We’re thrilled to be named a top 10 finalist for the Ivory Prize. This recognition affirms the power of combining predictive data analytics with individualized support to prevent homelessness among vulnerable residents of Los Angeles County,” commented Dana Vanderford, Associate Director of Homelessness Prevention for LA County Department of Health Services. “We are especially grateful to our staff, who proactively connect with at-risk individuals and help them create plans to ensure long-term housing stability. We hope this spotlight will encourage more communities to try new strategies to solve our nation’s housing crisis.” 

“We’re honored that the Ivory Prize has named the Homelessness Prevention Unit one of the top 10 housing innovations in the country. By using artificial intelligence, intensive case management, and flexible financial assistance, we’re working to prevent homelessness before it happens,” said Janey Rountree, Executive Director of the California Policy Lab at UCLA. “This award reflects the value of public-private partnerships, data-driven decisions, and the investment in individuals and families who need it most. We’re excited to share this model with communities across the country.” 

“When our office partnered with California Policy Lab in 2018, I expected interesting results, but I never imagined it would spark the creation of something as unique and inventive as the Housing Prevention Unit,” commented Max Stevens, Chief Analytics Officer at Los Angeles County Chief Information Office. “I’m so impressed by Dana, Janey, and their teams. Their work showcases the power of evidence-based practice and advanced analytics.”