Our Story

In 2005 after serving time in prison, Uncle Dave was released with $200 gate fee money, a shoebox of his life possessions and a bus ticket. His family and friends had disowned him after learning about his life of drugs & crime. He was homeless with no where to live. Luckily, he had a visit from someone from a Jewish Rehab in Los Angeles while he was in Prison. He remembered their name and looked them up and by the grace of God, they agreed to let him enter their program and live at their treatment center. A few years before, Felicia Edelman, an attorney, had gone through the treatment center for her addiction to methamphetamines she used during law school. It was through a few friends and 12-step meetings that Felicia & David met each other and fell in love.  Felicia likes to tell everyone that she hadn’t planned on falling in love with a man 20 years older than her, married three times and divorced, served time in prison, and didn’t have a job, car or even cell phone at first! It was God’s plan, as she had never dreamt of meeting such a man who would turn her life into a life of happiness, joy and living financially comfortably. 

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In 2008, one of Felicia’s clients at her law firm needed help with her tenants who were not paying. Because the client was losing the property to foreclosure any legal action would run out of time. Instead Felicia sent David, her 6’5 225 pound love of her life to help this client. This client was running group homes in Long Beach, California and David learned as much as he could from her. 

In 2009 Felica and David decided they could open a group home and help many people they knew struggling to find a place to live after exiting the justice system or a treatment center.  After a long and difficult search to buy a property they settled on leasing a property in South Los Angeles next to the famous projects “Nickerson Gardens” and opened “Uncle Dave’s Housing” for men in January 2010. 

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Starting with a 4-unit apartment building and a single family house, they have now opened 15 different group homes, including sober livings and transitional housing for men, students, and seniors. Through trial and error, they have built a successful one million dollar operation, providing housing to over 35,000 people since the opening of their first group home.

 

Currently, Uncle Dave’s Housing continues to provide housing for 200 men who would otherwise be homeless at 7 different locations in South Los Angeles. One of the most rewarding aspects of their work is hearing the success stories of people who have built new lives thanks to their organization. They are proud of the positive impact their work has had on the community, as their clients are less likely to return to jail or end up back on the streets. The organization ensures that individuals receive the support and resources they need to have a second chance in life.

 

Affordable housing is essential for every community, providing stability for those facing economic challenges, addiction, criminal behavior, mental health issues, or loneliness. Everyone deserves housing they can be proud of and afford. Group homes can pave the way for a brighter future in real estate, offering shared housing that is affordable to the community. By contributing to this vision, you not only help others but also pave a path to financial freedom for yourself. Let's work together to create a community where everyone has a place to call home.