New multi-million dollar competitive grants will support innovative local, state efforts to end youth homelessness
Senator Murray helped lead the charge to create the program and secure these funds
Senator Murray: “Every child – from Edmonds to Everett and all over Washington state – deserves a fair shot at success, starting with a home where they feel safe and secure…I will continue working to find federal solutions to help end the crisis of youth homelessness in our streets”
Everett Herald: “Thousands of children in Snohomish County have no home” – LINK
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced two major grants to help address the youth homelessness crisis throughout Washington state, and applauded local advocates for their innovative work to support youth experiencing homelessness. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP); the program was created through Senator Murray’s bipartisan efforts to increase focus on addressing youth homelessness, and provides funding for rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing to youth experiencing homelessness, as well as supports youth-focused performance measurement and coordinated entry systems. In a new round of investments, Snohomish County Department of Community and Homeless Services was awarded a $2.3 million dollar grant to house and serve homeless youth in Snohomish County, and the State of Washington was awarded a $4.6 million dollar grant to support on-going work throughout the state aimed at eradicating housing instability for homeless youth.
“Every child – from Edmonds to Everett and all over Washington state – deserves a fair shot at success, starting with a home where they feel safe and secure. I’m proud to stand with Snohomish County leaders and other stakeholders across our state who are leading the way in modeling how communities can come together to provide homeless youth with the critical help they need to get back on track,” said Senator Murray. “This significant investment will help bring new resources to local programs and efforts that provide vital housing and additional support to homeless youth, giving them the necessary tools to thrive, and I will continue working to find federal solutions to help end the crisis of youth homelessness in our streets.”
According to HUD, this grant is part of a second round of awards under YHDP; the first round of YHDP awards, announced in January 2017, was to 10 communities and totaled $33 million – including a $5.4 million dollar award secured by Senator Murray to support King County Department of Community and Human Services’ efforts to end youth homelessness. Program funds for both rounds of YHDP will be used to implement projects to demonstrate how a comprehensive approach to serving homeless youth can dramatically reduce youth homelessness, and over the next several months, selected communities will work with their youth advisory boards, child welfare agencies, and other community partners to create a comprehensive community plan to end homelessness.
You can find more information on the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program here.
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