HUD Offering $145M to Help Homeless Youths

By Kerry Smith

Up to 50 local or rural communities can apply for money through a competitive funding program that’s designed to help youth “change the trajectory of their lives.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has $145 million in competitive funding available to help homeless youths.

HUD calls it a “competitive funding arrangement” because local communities must apply for money. It says up to 50 communities can receive funding, based on a plan to “build systems intended to end youth homelessness in local and rural communities through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).”

Any Florida community that wants to apply should refer to HUD’s Notice of Opportunity.

“Getting and keeping young people off the streets and helping them find a safe, stable home can change the trajectory of their lives,” says HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Local leaders who are on the ground every day know what it takes to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness, and this funding will empower them to do so. I am pleased to announce this funding and encourage local groups to apply.”

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program was developed based on recommendations from young people who had experienced homelessness. HUD says it’s continued to work closely with young people with “lived experience” as it reviews applications for funding; and it also relies on their advice to provide technical assistance to communities striving to include youth voices in their local work.

Selected communities can use the funding for rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and/or to fund innovative programs, such as host homes. YHDP can also support youth-focused performance measurements.

To date, HUD has funded almost 300 projects in 44 communities across the country through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.

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