Hi Elaine,
I'm from LA and depending on how far he wants to commute, he's not going to find affordable rental properties that are not in the 'hood'.
I would say stay away from ANYWHERE close to the airport. That area (Santa Monica) is SO expensive AND so shady.
If he doesn't mind a commute, I recommend cities that are more south-east of LAX (think Orange County or San Bernadino County). For instance, Chino Hills, Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Diamond Bar, Azusa, Glendora, Pasadena, Brea, San Dimas, Irvine, or Costa Mesa. He could also consider moving north of LA in the high desert. Lancaster/Palmdale is where I lived right before I moved here, but before that I was in Chino Hills. Up north, there is Quartz Hill, Canyon Country, Valencia, and some other cities along I14 that I can't think of right now. The land is more open there and people don't live on top of each other like they do closer to LA. Housing is also more affordable there by far.
With all of those, he will have a commute and LOTS of traffic. There is no way around it when you live in LA. I haven't lived there since 2001, and I know it's gotten worse (despite ALL the CA plates I see here in TX!!). There is the Metro Link and that is VERY nice to take to get around town so living near a stop wouldn't be a bad idea. Especially since gas is way over $3.00 a gallon there. <I heard in San Fran this weekend it was $4.15 for the cheap stuff!!!OMG!>
As for the MDO programs, I'm sure they do at local churches. I wasn't a M. there so I don't have any recommendations.
Tell your friend I'd be more than happy to talk to her if she'd like. Just send me a message and I'll give you my email.