Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is a federal initiative by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to support communities in preventing and ending youth homelessness. Focused on collaboration and innovation, YHDP empowers local Continuums of Care (CoCs) to develop coordinated approaches tailored to the unique needs of youth and young adults experiencing housing instability. Through funding and technical assistance, the program fosters the creation of youth-centric, culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed housing solutions.
YHDP emphasizes cross-sector partnerships, bringing together organizations in housing, education, employment, and healthcare to ensure a holistic response. The program encourages the use of evidence-based practices, elevates youth voices in decision-making, and prioritizes equitable access to resources for marginalized populations. By aligning local efforts with national strategies, YHDP helps communities build sustainable systems to prevent and end youth homelessness.
Fiscal Year 2023 YHDP Competition
In October 2024, HUD announced that the City of Boise, on behalf of Our Path Home (OPH), was one of 14 Continuum of Care (CoC) Collaborative Applicants across the nation to receive YHDP funding in Round 8. HUD announced OPH would receive $3,288,718 in YHDP funding.
As a YHDP Community, OPH is charged with supporting the Youth Leadership Board (YLB) to lead implementation of three phases. The YLB is a group of youth and young adults, most of who have been at-risk of experiencing or experienced homelessness. The three phases are guided by YLB to ensure youth voices are involved in the development of an improve youth system designed to prevent and end homelessness. Each phase builds on the last, creating a comprehensive approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by youth experiencing homelessness.
Phase | Description | Status |
Planning Phase | In this initial phase, selected communities receive support to develop a Coordinated Community Plan (CCP). This plan outlines the local strategies and actions to prevent and end youth homelessness. Communities engage youth with lived experience, service providers, and other stakeholders to assess needs, identify gaps, and establish goals. The CCP must be data-driven, equity-focused, and aligned with best practices like trauma-informed care and positive youth development | Partners have completed a draft of the CCP (here). OPH is accepting written feedback accepting now through May 13, 2024. OPH will submit a final draft of the CCP to HUD by May 29, 2025. HUD will review the CCP and either approve or request edits if found to be deficient in meeting HUD thresholds. |
Implementation Phase | After HUD approves the CCP, communities move to the implementation phase. Funding is allocated to execute the strategies outlined in the plan. This includes developing or enhancing programs such as rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and youth-focused supportive services. Communities also work to improve systems-level coordination among agencies and organizations to ensure seamless support for youth. | The local competition for YHPD funding allocations is underway, with Letters of Intent (here) due May 9 and the competition running from May 19 – June 6, 2025. More information on the local competition can be found below. Applications to HUD for YHDP funding, which must be approved in accordance with the CCP, are due in e-snaps on July 1, 2025. Grant agreements between HUD and YHDP recipients will be executed by October 1, 2025. |
Evaluation and Sustainability Phase | Communities assess the outcomes of their YHDP-funded programs and refine approaches to ensure long-term impact. Emphasis is placed on sustainability by integrating successful strategies into broader CoC operations and securing additional funding streams. Communities also share lessons learned to inform national efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. | The YLB, OPH, and YHDP partners will develop this after the first two phases are complete. |
OPH Local Competition
OPH, and the YLB, are excited to announce the local competition to allocate funding from the FY23 YHDP Award. The initial grant term for funded projects will be fore 2-years. After that, all YHDP funds supporting community projects are renewed via the regular CoC Competition.
OPH Local Competition Materials:
We have now posted our Local Competition Policies and Procedures. All applications are due to the staff listed below by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Please email completed applications and required attachments to: Casey Mattoon, OPH, cmattoon@cityofboise.org.
Competition Policies and Procedures
Applications - Complete applications will only be considered if they are submitted by the deadline and include all three elements below:
- A fully completed application for the associated project type:
- OPH YHDP Applicant Eligibility Thresholds - A completed eligibility self-assessment form where the applicant can mark yes to all thresholds.
- OPH YHDP Applicant Budget - A compliant, complete project budget.
Timeline:
- New Project Trainings: April 9 & 10 (complete, see below to access recording and slides)
- Letter of Intent Due: May 13
- Local Competition Policies & Procedures: May 16
- Local Competition Opens: May 19
- Local Competition Trainings and Technical Assistance: May 19 – 30
- Local Competition Closes: June 6
- Approvers Vote on Final Applicants: June 13
- Approved Applicants Submit to HUD: July 1
Additional Resources:
- HUD Materials
- FY2023 Materials
- YHDP General