Where to Now? Innovative Housing Options for Homeless Young Adults Leaving TLPs
where-to-now-report.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Since 1981, New England Network has provided a wide range of services and supports to Region I grantees of the federal Family & Youth Services Bureau's Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.
This report highlights innovative practices that social service agencies are using to secure stable housing for young adults leaving transitional living programs (TLPs).
Studies have found that between 10 and 50 percent of homeless youth have serious mental health problems as determined by standardized diagnostic criteria.24 Rates of drug abuse may be even higher.
With this funding, nonprofit and public organizations provide up to 18 months of housing as well as life-skills support to youth ages 16-21.
In 2001, the agency responded to an observed need in the community and began serving only homeless children and young adults.
But those services alone did not seem enough: the agency noticed that after young adults graduated from its TLP, they tended to return to unstable housing.
The key to LifeWorks' approach is its continual effort to expand the housing options it offers clients.
Although LifeWorks has successfully sought grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for housing, its ongoing desire to find just "one more bed" has given rise to a variety of other creative fundraising strategies.
Such funding facilitates relationships between local housing and service providers, allowing youth service agencies to access new housing options for their clients.
