Preventing & Ending Youth Homelessness Nationwide
We research, advocate, and implement what works: empowering young people facing housing insecurity, investing in local communities, and advocating for prevention strategies that save money and changes lives.
OUR NEXT EVENT
2025 national Symposium on Solutions to End Youth Homelessness
October 7-8, 2025
Baltimore, MD
Join over 800 advocates, service providers, youth leaders, policymakers, and funders from across the country for two powerful days of connection, learning, and movement-building in Baltimore this October!
HOW WE CAN HELP
youth-centered solutions
We focus on three youth-centered solutions to end youth homelessness: Direct Cash Transfers, Targeted Housing Assistance Program, and a learning collaborative to prevent youth homelessness. Each empowers young people and their communities to create and lead their own pathways to stability.
Direct Cash Transfers
We partner with local service providers across the country to distribute monthly payments to young people over 24 months. The payments are tailored to their needs and preferences. Recipients can also opt into youth-centered support like housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer mentorship.
Targeted Housing Assistance Program
This initiative is similar to direct cash transfers except it is intended for young people at risk of homelessness. Recipients get a one-time cash payment to put their housing plan into action, plus access to youth-centered support from local community organizations.
National Prevention Learning Collaborative
We facilitate a peer learning network that brings together youth homelessness experts and impacted young adults across the country. The collaborative seeks to highlight evidence-based prevention programs and practices, uplift advocacy for sustainable funding models, and strengthen collaboration among federal, state, and local partners.
DIRECT CASH TRANSFERS IN ACTION
Success Stories
The data is clear: Giving young adults targeted funds for immediate housing assistance is an efficient way to prevent and end youth homelessness. What the data doesn’t show is how cash assistance changes lives.
In this storytelling series, recipients of the program across the country talk about how the money and the support that came with it gave them space to rebuild relationships, support their families, and enroll in school.
📍 OREGON
Gabrielle Is Living the American Dream
Gabrielle used a direct cash transfer to leave an unhealthy partnership, secure housing, and pursue motherhood, school, and home ownership, transforming survival into the "American Dream" for her and her daughter.
📍 NEW YORK
Taurice Used Direct Cash Transfers to Rebuild Family Ties
Taurice grew up moving homes and supporting himself as a teen. With help from the Direct Cash Transfer Program, he secured housing, furniture, and stability, finally starting a new life.
📍 ARIZONA
Valeria Almost Lost Her Home Out of College
Valeria couch surfed since 12 but stayed focused on college and success. After graduation, housing insecurity threatened her dream until she found the Direct Cash Transfer as Prevention program.
Case Study headline here
Through DCT, Program staff distribute cash to youth either remotely or safely in person at a frequency that works best for them alongside optional support programs including higher education and career counseling in addition to traditional case management.
$128,000
Direct Cast Transfers distributed in 2024
PSY Success Stories
95%
of youths in stable housing after 1 month post-cash
Partner Highlights
Three providers in Oregon work with youth to provide a time-limited monthly cash payment to secure safe, stable housing, as well as youth-directed supportive services.
Average monthly payment
Total number of people served
Percent who are stably housed
The Door and Henry Street Settlement provided a one-time targeted cash payment to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness, as well as opt-in supportive services.
Average cost per person
Total number of people served
Percent who are stably housed
AYA Youth Collective provided a one-time targeted cash payment to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness, as well as opt-in supportive services.
Average cost per person
Total number of people served
Percent who are stably housed
YESS provided a one-time targeted cash payment as well as opt-in supportive services to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness.
Average cost per person
Total number of people served
Percent who are stably housed
