This episode of The Nonprofit Report features Brilliant Corners, a San Francisco and Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing supportive housing solutions for vulnerable populations across California.
Guests:
Bill Pickel, CEO
Serena Fields, Senior Director of Housing Development and Management
Chris Contreras, Chief Operating Officer
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- Brilliant Corners provides access to existing housing units for extremely low-income and vulnerable Californians.
- With vacancy rates low and costs high, Brilliant Corners focuses on pairing rent subsidies and tenancy support with existing units, having already housed over 17,000 people.
- Brilliant Corners advocates long-term affordable housing development, including residential care homes to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Their operational model divides efforts into three key areas: housing location (working with landlords), tenancy support (for tenants and to maintain housing), and operations (administering over $8 million in monthly rent subsidies).
- Partnerships with landlords, government agencies, and nonprofits are central to their success. With a collaborative, person-centered mindset, they work to ensure housing is seen as a mutual benefit to communities, property owners, and the unhoused.
Other Points on Housing in California and Systemic Change:
California has over 187,000 counted homeless individuals, with the actual number likely much higher when considering the precariously housed.
Leaders emphasized the cost of inaction—communities in decline, businesses suffering, and rising public expenses. Investing in housing is not only humane but economically wise.
The organization is committed to sustainability and efficiency, ensuring government funds go directly toward long-term community benefit, including permanent deed-restricted housing.
Bill Pickel highlighted the importance of hiring individuals who bring a can-do, entrepreneurial mindset while staying grounded in person-centered, housing-first values.
Fields noted that no single organization can solve the crisis alone; it requires scalable solutions, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive community-building.
Brilliant Corners continues to lead with innovation, compassion, and operational excellence—creating lasting housing solutions and stronger, more inclusive communities.