Los Angeles: CASH LA Targeted Housing Assistance Program

The CASH LA DCT-P Pilot is designed to efficiently enhance housing stability, food security, empowerment, and overall well-being for young adults (ages 18-30) in Los Angeles County who are at risk of homelessness. This pilot program will provide approximately 100 participants with a one-time direct financial assistance payment, with flexible withdrawal options to meet individual needs.

Building upon the success of the prior Targeted Housing Assistance Program (formerly known as the Direct Cash Transfer as Prevention (DCT-P) Pilot) and A Way Home Washington's Homeless Prevention and Diversion Fund, CASH LA offers a one-time cash infusion combined with youth-centered supportive services from a community-based organization partner. The goal is to stabilize the housing of at-risk young people and prevent them from ever experiencing homelessness.

Youth voice has guided the pre-implementation of CASH LA. Three youth consultants with lived experience of homelessness have co-led the project after receiving feedback from other youth during focus groups. In fall 2024, a pre-implementation phase in collaboration with LAHSA, LAE, and PSY involved co-design sessions with 50 young people experiencing housing instability to finalize key components of CASH LA. 

Artwork by Aaminah Parker

PSY Staff, Youth Consultants, and LAHSA staff take a minute to smile after successfully completing Focus Groups with 50 young people.

The Cash LA
Focus Group Report

In this report, you will learn about the landscape of youth homelessness in Los Angeles County, the wishes young people in LA County have for Targeted Housing Assistance (formerly known as DCT-Ps), the data from the focus groups, and the group consensus on implementation of CASH LA.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

  • Between 18-30 years old 

  • Unaccompanied or at risk of becoming unaccompanied 

  • Experiencing a crisis threatening housing or at imminent risk of homelessness

    • Unsafely or unstably doubled up

    • Couch surfing

    • Fleeing DV or trafficking 

    • At imminent risk of losing housing (around 14 days)

  • Currently living in LA County

  • Can work with a trained provider to develop a concrete plan that will stabilize their housing situation within ~30 days

NOTE: Young people are NOT eligible if they are

  1. Literally homeless under the Category 1 HUD Definition (e.g. living in a shelter, transitional housing, living in an inhabitable setting, car, etc) or 

  2. Staying in a homeless housing program, such as Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, Transitional Housing, non-emergency Host Homes, etc.

Meet the Lead Community Based Organization

Point Source Youth and LA Emissary are pleased to announce the selection of The AMAAD Institute as the lead Community-Based Organization (CBO) for CASH LA. 

The AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) is a South Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing culturally relevant programs and services to cultivate secure and encouraging settings for individuals to thrive. Their comprehensive model, which incorporates housing, health, education, and community involvement, makes them an ideal collaborator for the CASH LA pilot. Additional details about AMAAD can be found on their website at amaad.org.

Become a Trained Provider

CASH LA empowers local community members to directly address youth homelessness by providing training and funds. Trained Providers are empowered to directly engage young people in housing conversations and access funds when they are needed to resolve young people’s housing challenges. This decentralized approach fosters community ownership, collaboration, and trust, enabling trained providers across LA County to quickly offer personalized support and prevent young people from needing multiple referrals. CASH LA aims to create a community resource for at-risk youth in all 8 SPAs. 


Contact us at dct@pointsourceyouth.org  if you are interested in becoming a trained provider.

Meet the Point Source Youth Direct Cash Transfers Team

  • Associate Director, Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention


  • Vice President, Direct Cash Transfers

This initiative is presented by Point Source Youth and Los Angeles Emissary with support from Cedars-Sinai and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation