Henry Mauriss is an accomplished executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in consumer marketing, media and branding.
While he has made significant strides in the business world, Mauriss is equally known for his deep commitment to philanthropy, particularly addressing California’s homelessness crisis. Mauriss is in the process of launching Joshua’s Collective, a humanitarian initiative focused on reintegrating homeless people into society to address one of the state’s most pressing issues.
Joshua’s Collective will take a holistic approach, addressing the root causes of homelessness — such as mental health, addiction and unemployment — rather than offering temporary solutions. By providing comprehensive support, including job preparation and placement, mental health care and long-term housing, the organization aims to bring lasting change to California’s homeless population.
Driven by a strong belief in financial discipline and data-driven solutions, Mauriss applies the same strategic mindset to his philanthropic work as he does to his business ventures. His vision is to not only reduce homelessness, but also to create a sustainable model that enables individuals to take back control of their lives. By combining his business expertise with his passion for community engagement, Mauriss makes a real difference in the lives of those most in need.
What inspired you to start Joshua’s Collective and why are you specifically focused on the homeless crisis in California?
Joshua’s Collective was born out of a deep sense of responsibility. I have been fortunate to be successful in business, but I have also seen firsthand the human cost of neglect and systemic failure. Homelessness is not just a statistic; It is a human tragedy that plays out before our eyes every day. California, as you know, has the largest homeless population in the United States, and despite billions of dollars being spent, we have seen little to no improvement. This shows me that we are approaching the problem in the wrong way. Joshua’s Collective focuses on the person, not just their living situation, and that makes all the difference.
How will Joshua’s Collective be different from other homelessness initiatives?
One of the biggest shortcomings of current government-led efforts is the sole focus on housing. Don’t get me wrong, living space is crucial – but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Many homeless people suffer from untreated mental illnesses, are addicted or have been isolated from society for so long that reintegration is difficult. Our approach at Joshua’s Collective will be fundamental. We don’t just house people in emergency shelters; We focus on mental health care, addiction treatment, job training, job placement and ultimately permanent housing. By treating the whole person and not just their immediate need for protection, we create long-term solutions.
You mentioned financial discipline as a key part of Joshua’s Collective’s strategy. Can you explain this in more detail?
Absolutely. The way funds are spent in government programs is often inefficient and the results speak for themselves. California spent $24 billion between 2019 and 2023, yet homelessness continues to rise. Our approach is data-driven and disciplined. We expect to be able to reintegrate individuals into society at an annual cost of approximately $17,528 per client over a two-year period. That’s less than half of what the government spends per person annually. We can keep costs down by maintaining strict financial controls, focusing on practical solutions and holding ourselves accountable. After two years, our customers should no longer need financial support from us because they have a job, an apartment and a new lifestyle.
Given the magnitude of the homelessness crisis, do you think your approach can truly curb the problem?
I believe it is possible and if I didn’t I wouldn’t pursue it. The number of homeless people in California is staggering, but change occurs one life at a time. Our purpose isn’t just about numbers – it’s about people. We plan to significantly reduce the number of unsheltered homeless people, but the real victory is restoring their dignity and giving them the tools to live independently. If we address the causes, we can break the vicious cycle of homelessness. Joshua’s Collective is committed to the long term and I believe we will see meaningful results where other efforts have failed.
How will you measure success in Joshua’s Collective? Is it simply about reducing homelessness?
Reducing the numbers is part of it, but for me success goes beyond that. Success means restoring lives. It’s not enough to temporarily take someone off the streets — we want to equip them with the tools they need to make lasting change. That means mental health care, addiction recovery, work readiness, and stable housing. We will closely monitor outcomes – how many people move into permanent housing, how many find sustainable, long-term employment, and how many are able to maintain their mental health or remain free from substance abuse. We will consider ourselves successful when the people we help no longer need us.
Many efforts to combat homelessness are politically charged. How does Joshua’s Collective plan to deal with this?
Joshua’s Collective is a humanitarian and not a political effort. That is a key difference. Homelessness affects everyone – business owners, families and, of course, those who experience it firsthand. It’s not about party lines. We focus on working solutions and not on making politics. I’ve seen too much energy being wasted on ideological debates while real people suffer. Our work is characterized by compassion, practicality and efficiency and we are ready to work with anyone who shares this vision.
What role does data play in your approach to solving homelessness?
Data is crucial. We examined two decades of research on homelessness and got real-time information about what works and what doesn’t. This is not a guessing game. By tracking specific metrics – cost per customer, long-term results and program success rates – we can adapt and improve our approach over time. I believe in accountability, not just for the sake of financial discipline, but because we owe it to the people we want to help. They deserve a system that is adaptable and responsive to their needs, not one that throws money at the problem without knowing if it will have an impact.
How do you envision the future of Joshua’s Collective and its impact on California?
I see Joshua’s Collective as a model for what homeless initiatives could and should be. It is not enough to repeatedly use emergency solutions in a crisis of this magnitude. The future of our organization lies in expanding our services, refining our approach and demonstrating that homelessness can be significantly reduced with the right strategy. My hope is that in five years we will have reintegrated thousands of people into society, reduced the homeless population by tens of thousands, and created a system that others can replicate in their cities and states.
What message do you have for people who are skeptical about solving homelessness?
To the skeptics, I would say this: Yes, it’s a complex problem, but complexity doesn’t mean we should accept failure. All too often people raise their hands and say, “This is too hard.” But every single person who helped, every person who was taken off the streets and given a new start, proves that change is possible. Joshua’s Collective isn’t just about dealing with homelessness — it’s about solving it. This requires determination, compassion and a willingness to embrace new approaches.
Key Takeaways:
- Joshua’s Collective will highlight a multi-faceted approach to solving homelessness, focusing not only on housing, but also mental health, addiction and employment.
- The initiative aims to significantly reduce homelessness by addressing the root causes using a data-driven and compassionate methodology.
- Financial discipline is a core principle as Joshua’s Collective commits to restoring homeless people at nearly half the cost per person compared to government programs.
