California Invests $56 Million in Grants to Combat Youth Homelessness

Strategic Insights -

California is providing $56 million in grants to help counties provide services for young adults at risk of homelessness, building on the state's success in reducing homelessness in youth. Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced the awards to help 52 counties prevent homelessness by providing services for youth transitioning out of foster care or probation systems. This investment is part of California's continued support for local governments in addressing homelessness and providing resources to help residents in need.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $56 million awards will help 52 California counties provide housing and supportive services to young adults at risk of homelessness, focusing on those transitioning out of foster care or probation systems.
  • Since 2020, programs like this have helped 14,048 young adults, demonstrating the effectiveness of these initiatives in reducing youth homelessness.
  • There are currently an estimated 9,871 young adults between the ages of 21 and 24 in California who exited foster care at age 18 or older, and another 3,000 young adults exit foster care in California each year.
  • Studies have shown that those exiting the foster care or probation system face disproportionately higher rates of homelessness, with unaccompanied youth up to age 24 comprising 10 percent of California's homeless population.
  • The awards will provide vital services to young adults as they transition out of foster care and probation systems, helping them access housing and wrap-around supports.
  • The Transitional Housing Program, Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program, and Transitional Housing Plus Housing Supplement Program will allocate the $56 million in awards to counties based on need.
  • The programs have successfully funded housing assistance for 14,048 young adults ages 18 to 24 since 2020, with a notable decrease in the Point in Time Count for homelessness among the age group served by TAY.
  • The $33.3 million in Transitional Housing Program awards will go to 52 counties, providing counties funding to train child welfare agency social workers and probation officers working with non-minor dependents as housing navigators.
  • The $13.7 million in Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program awards will go to 51 counties, providing funding to train housing navigators with a broad understanding of available housing resources.
  • The $9 million in Transitional Housing Plus Housing Supplement Program awards will go to six counties, assisting young adults who have exited foster care in counties with the state's highest market-rate apartment rental costs.

Statistics:

  • The Point in Time Count for homelessness among the age group served by TAY dropped from 11,403 in 2020 to 9,908 in 2022, and again to 8,569 by 2024.
  • 14,048 young adults have received housing assistance through these programs since 2020.
  • 52 of 56 eligible counties accepted Transitional Housing Program awards, 51 of 56 counties accepted Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program awards, and all six eligible counties accepted Transitional Housing Plus Housing Supplement Program awards.

Sources:

  • California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
  • US State of California
  • Governor Gavin Newsom
  • California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Gustavo Velasquez
  • Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary Tomiquia Moss
  • 44 other states (mentioned in the context of California's success in reducing homelessness among youth)