Humble Design San Diego to Celebrate 500th Home Transformation for a Family Exiting Homelessness
Humble Design San Diego is preparing to mark a powerful and poignant milestone: the transformation of its 500th home for a family transitioning out of homelessness. This celebration, scheduled for April 24 in San Marcos, is more than just a numerical achievement — it’s a testament to the transformative power of community collaboration, compassion, and dignity in addressing one of society’s most pressing issues.
Since opening its doors in 2018, Humble Design San Diego has become a beacon of hope for families and individuals who have experienced homelessness, offering more than just furniture — they offer a fresh start and a renewed sense of stability. This upcoming milestone installation represents years of dedicated work, strategic partnerships, and grassroots energy that have touched the lives of more than 1,200 people across the region, including over 700 children and 60 veterans.
Transforming a House Into a Home
The milestone event will focus on one particular story — that of Mercedes, a resilient woman who, like many others helped by the organization, has navigated tremendous challenges on her path to housing security. Through a collaborative referral from Independent Living Systems and Kaiser Permanente, Mercedes became the 500th client of Humble Design San Diego. Her family also received vital support from Interfaith Community Services, which provided shelter and case management to help them secure housing earlier this year.
From 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the reveal, Humble Design staff and a dedicated team of volunteers will work together to fully furnish and personalize Mercedes’ new home. The goal: to create a warm, welcoming environment that reflects her personality and gives her family a meaningful sense of belonging — a space that signals the beginning of a new chapter rather than a temporary stop.
“This day is about so much more than furniture — it’s about dignity, healing, and a new chapter,” said Laura Lavoie, Executive Director of Humble Design San Diego. “Mercedes, like all of our Humble clients, has overcome immense challenges with strength and determination. We are honored to celebrate her story as our 500th.”
Members of the press interested in attending the reveal are encouraged to contact Lavoie directly at [email protected] for further details.
A Model That Works and Lasts
What sets Humble Design apart is its focus on sustainable outcomes. The organization works at the crucial intersection of housing and home, ensuring that people leaving shelters and temporary housing do not simply move into empty rooms but instead into spaces that feel permanent, nurturing, and personalized.
This model is yielding real, measurable impact. A 2024 study from the UC San Diego Homelessness Hub offers compelling data: 98% of Humble Design San Diego clients remained housed after receiving the organization’s services — a housing retention rate more than ten times higher than the San Diego County average.
The study, conducted over 10 months and released in August 2024, included 169 client surveys and 30 in-depth interviews. Its findings validate what Humble Design has long believed: creating a personalized, livable space is not just an act of kindness — it’s a vital social determinant of health and stability. Clients reported reduced stress, improved mental health, increased confidence, and stronger relationships with their children and families after their homes were furnished.
As the UCSD report underscores, the transition from homelessness to permanent housing is not complete without a sense of place — a feeling that a person’s new space is truly their home. This emotional and psychological component is often overlooked in the broader public discourse around homelessness, but Humble Design places it front and center.
Powered by Community, Fueled by Generosity
At the heart of Humble Design’s impact is a community-driven ecosystem. The organization relies entirely on donations of gently used furniture and household items, as well as philanthropic funding and an ever-growing corps of volunteers. These volunteers often families, students, companies, and civic groups spend hours transforming empty apartments into cozy, beautiful spaces filled with care and personal touches.
This hands-on involvement offers members of the public a tangible, rewarding way to contribute to the fight against homelessness. Volunteers not only deliver beds, couches, and lamps they help rebuild lives. Each installation is designed uniquely for the recipient, incorporating their favorite colors, interests, and practical needs, reinforcing that the client is seen, heard, and valued.
Humble Design San Diego collaborates with more than 50 referral partners across the region, including Interfaith Community Services, Father Joe’s Villages, PATH, and the San Diego Rescue Mission, among others. These organizations help identify families and individuals who are transitioning out of homelessness and are in need of the final step — a real home.
From Local Beginnings to National Reach
Humble Design was founded in 2009 in Detroit, Michigan, by Treger Strasberg and her husband Rob, who were moved to take action after witnessing a friend transition from a shelter to an empty home. What started as a grassroots effort has since expanded to include locations in Chicago, Cleveland, San Diego, and the founding city of Detroit.
In 2016, U-Haul® came onboard as a national sponsor, providing the organization with the logistical infrastructure and financial support necessary to scale its efforts. To date, Humble Design has helped more than 11,000 individuals across the U.S. and furnished over 3,700 homes.
Each city operation retains its own local leadership and community focus, allowing Humble Design to tailor its services to the unique challenges and cultures of different regions. The San Diego branch, led by Laura Lavoie, has quickly become one of the organization’s most impactful chapters.
A Call to Action
As Humble Design San Diego celebrates its 500th home transformation, the organization is also looking toward the future. With homelessness remaining a significant challenge in California — and particularly in San Diego County — the need for creative, community-based solutions has never been greater.
“This milestone is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder that our work is far from done,” said Lavoie. “There are still thousands of families in our community who need support. We invite everyone — individuals, businesses, and organizations — to get involved and help us write the next chapter.”
Whether through volunteering, donating furniture, providing financial support, or spreading the word, the San Diego community has countless ways to engage with Humble Design’s mission.
For Mercedes and her family, the April 24 home reveal will mark the beginning of a new life in a space filled with comfort, personality, and hope. For Humble Design San Diego, it is the 500th chapter in a growing story of transformation — one that proves that when people come together with compassion and purpose, extraordinary things are possible.
About Humble Design San Diego
Humble Design welcomes people home, so that lives are changed for good. Humble Design helps individuals, families, and veterans to break the cycle of homelessness by transforming empty housing into personalized, fully furnished homes. Upon receiving Humble’s services, 98% of clients stay housed – a rate more than 10x the alternative. Humble Design’s Logan Heights warehouse receives new and gently used donated furniture and home goods by appointment.