What is the Targeted Housing Assistance Program?
PSY’s Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP) is a scalable, youth-driven solution to prevent youth homelessness.
Modeled after Washington State’s Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF), this intervention is a one-time cash payment to young people based on the resources needed through the construction of a housing plan. Alongside the cash payment are youth-directed services provided by a local community-based organization that might include housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer support.
THAP 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.
📍 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 Targeted Housing Assistance 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 Targeted Housing Assistance Program.
📍 TEXAS
Yoselin Ended a Cycle of Instability for her Family
Yoselin’s family struggled to meet basic needs and feared losing their home. After joining the Targeted Housing Assistance Program, they found housing, hope, and a future filled with joy and stability.
OUR WORK
Featured Projects
Our interventions are grounded in youth choice, independence, supportive wrap-around services, and the housing-first principle. We believe that all people have the unconditional right to housing and that the choices we make shouldn’t disqualify us from our basic human rights. Every single young person deserves secure housing.
🟡 UPCOMING — OAHU, HAWAII
Designing a THAP Program in Hawaii
Point Source Youth recently embarked on a collaborative effort with youth-serving organizations, local youth leaders and service providers on Oahu, Hawaii.
🟢 IN PROGRESS — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Launching a Pilot Program in LA
The CASH LA Pilot is designed to enhance housing stability, food security, empowerment, and overall well-being for young adults (ages 18-30) in LA County who are at risk of homelessness.
🟢 COMPLETED — AZ, CA, GA, MI, NY, OR, TZ
7-State Pilot Prevents Homelessness
PSY served 345 16-26 year olds at risk of homelessness across seven states. 90% of the recipients who completed a follow-up survey one month later reported being stably housed.
Resources
Targeted Housing Assistance Handbook: A detailed resource that explores the development, execution, and evaluation of Targeted Housing Assistance Programs.
Garrett Reacts: Cash for Youth Works! The talented Garrett Mason, youth homelessness expert and PSY consultant, stars in this explainer series about homelessness prevention.
THAP Pilot Program Report: PSY served 345 16-26 year olds at risk of homelessness across 7 states. 90% of recipients who completed a follow-up survey one month later reported being stably housed.
OUR NETWORK
Thank you to Our Partners
We rely on a network of trusted partners to make the Targeted Housing Assistance Program a reality. Across seven states, we collaborate with eight local youth-serving organizations to deliver cash payments and youth-informed support directly where it's needed.
