Miley Cyrus is continuing a philanthropic mission that began more than a decade ago, this time helping women experiencing homelessness find a permanent place to call home.

On October 10, 2026, the 33-year-old singer announced a $1 million donation through the Miley Cyrus Foundation to support the Downtown Women’s Center’s HOME Campaign. The contribution will help fund Rosa’s Place, a new housing development on Los Angeles’ Skid Row that will provide 97 permanent apartments for women, including survivors of violence transitioning out of homelessness.

Cyrus is also teaming up with her mother, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, to help with the development’s interior design, according to Billboard. Their involvement aims to help create a welcoming space where residents can begin a new chapter in their lives.

The donation reflects Cyrus’ long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. Just days before the announcement, My Friend’s Place, a Hollywood nonprofit serving young people ages 12 to 25 experiencing homelessness, revealed plans for a new purpose-built campus. Cyrus, who has supported the organization for more than a decade, was named its Honorary Chair.

“I remember over 12 years ago going to My Friend’s Place for the first time after realizing how many young people around me didn’t have a place to call their home,” Cyrus said in a statement. She added that she had witnessed the organization’s impact on young people firsthand over the years.

The VMAs Moment That Started a Bigger Mission

Cyrus’ advocacy first drew widespread attention at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. After winning Video of the Year for “Wrecking Ball” on August 24, she made an unexpected decision: instead of accepting the award herself, she invited Jesse Helt, a 22-year-old experiencing homelessness, to take the stage on her behalf.

Helt used the moment to highlight the challenges facing homeless and runaway youth across the United States. He delivered a message on behalf of an estimated 1.6 million young people, describing the hunger, fear and instability many experience. He also directed viewers to Cyrus’ Facebook page, where they could find a link to donate to My Friend’s Place.

“Help me raise awareness and funds to end youth homelessness,” Cyrus wrote on Facebook alongside a video explaining her efforts. “This is just the beginning for me.”

Less than a month later, on September 17, 2014, she launched the Happy Hippie Foundation to support homeless youth, LGBTQ+ young people and other vulnerable populations. The foundation is now part of the Miley Cyrus Foundation, and My Friend’s Place was among its early beneficiaries.

In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Helt’s mother, Linda, praised Cyrus and her son for their shared desire to help others.

“I knew I wanted to use my platform to shine a light on the issues affecting real people that too often we ignore,” Cyrus later told Billboard.

Why Safe Housing Matters to Cyrus

Cyrus’ latest donation also builds on her relationship with the Downtown Women’s Center, a Los Angeles organization that supports women experiencing homelessness. She began supporting the center in 2024, extending her advocacy beyond young people to women who need stable housing and access to essential services.

At Rosa’s Place, residents will have access to comprehensive, trauma-informed support, including case management, health services and job-readiness programs, according to the organization. The development is intended to provide more than a roof over residents’ heads by connecting them with resources that can help them move forward.

For Cyrus, the cause is deeply personal. She has described home as a place of safety, supported by a family that has consistently loved and encouraged her.

“When I started my foundation 12 years ago, I was really moved by the fact that many people, especially people my age at the time, were going through life without either,” she told Billboard, reflecting on the lack of security and support faced by people experiencing homelessness.

Heather Carmichael, executive director of My Friend’s Place, has seen the impact of Cyrus’ continued involvement. Speaking to Billboard, she described the significance of a globally recognized figure directing attention toward young people who often feel overlooked.

“It has been a kaleidoscope of goodness,” Carmichael said, explaining how meaningful it can be for vulnerable young people to feel seen by someone with such a large platform.

A Commitment Beyond Writing a Check

Cyrus has made clear that her advocacy involves more than financial donations. At the October gala, she discussed serving as Honorary Campaign Chair for both the Downtown Women’s Center and My Friend’s Place, including helping raise funds for their work.

“We have made so much progress, but there is much more to do,” she told Billboard.

She also credited the women in her own life, particularly her mother and grandmother, with teaching her the importance of generosity and compassion.

“No matter what I achieve, the kind of person I am when it comes to being kind, compassionate, generous…that’s what matters and defines me,” Cyrus said.

Twelve years after her VMAs appearance brought youth homelessness into the spotlight, Cyrus is continuing to use her influence to support people in need. Her $1 million contribution to Rosa’s Place marks another step in that ongoing effort, helping create permanent homes for 97 women in Los Angeles.

Source: Compiled from various sources