6.7 Building Supports for Homeless Youth

First-year evaluation findings from the Stable Homes, Brighter Futures initiative in

Los Angeles, CA NAEH Conference on Ending Family & Youth

Homelessness February19, 2014

Our Mission

Improve lives of vulnerable

people

Maximize public resources

Build strong, healthy

communities

Advancing housing solutions that:

What is supportive housing for TAY?

Lease-based

Permanently affordable

No time limits on length of stay

Services are not a condition of the lease

Housing First Harm Reduction

Positive Youth Development Framework

Developmentally appropriate programming

Model is evolving Range of supportive housing models Single-site, all TAY Mixed population Scattered site apartments in the community Shared housing

Learning more about how the model is different for

youth Youth tenant characteristics Service array and delivery approach Outcomes and efficacy

Stable Homes, Brighter Futures

Initiative Goals: Increase the capacity of organizations in LA

County to develop and operate high-quality supportive housing for transition age youth (TAY).

Create a safety net of housing and services for TAY that includes health, mental health, education, and employment.

Collaborate with agencies and partner organizations to secure adequate and coordinated public funding mechanisms.

Grantees

Where did youth live prior to SH?

51%

33%

2% 9%

2% 0%

20%

40%

60%

Homeless Transitionalhousing

Permanenthousing

Unstablyhoused

Dont know

48% of youth were homeless for more

than 1 year

Who are the youth in SH?

Demographics: 55% are male; 45% are female Majority are African-American (61%) Ages range from 18-26 Average age at enrollment is 22

Non-Hispanic

White, 14%

Latino, 15%

Asian, 4%

Black/ African-

American, 61%

American Indian/ Alaska

Native, 1%

NHOPI, 1% Multiracial, 3% Age Percent

18-19 years old 9% 20-21 years old 31% 22-23 years old 33% 24-25 years old 23%

26 years old 4%

Age at Enrollment (n=77) Race/Ethnicity (n=71)

Special Background Characteristics

Percent

Challenges with mental health (n=57) 82%

Challenges with substance abuse issues (n=57) 25%

Long-term developmental disability (n=59) 17%

Current or former foster care youth? (n=82) 32%

Arrested as a juvenile (n=59) 31%

Ever on probation as a minor (n=58) 29%

Ever been on adult probation (n=58) 28%

Ever given birth or fathered a child (n=58) 17%

Education and Employment at Baseline

Education Percent

Received high school diploma 38%

Completed GED 23%

Dropped out of high school 29%

Currently attending high school or GED program 2%

Employment & Income Percent

Unemployed 85%

Utilizing General Relief 49%

Receiving SNAP benefits 62%

Average monthly income = $434

What kinds of supports are important for youth in SH?

Managing the change of living in your own place Many youth leave their street-based social networks behind

Building and supporting natural community connections Money management Life skills

Cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, paying bills and rent, etc. Employment development

Writing resumes, applying for jobs, interviewing Soft skills: communication, calling in when you’re sick or when

you’re going to be late, etc. Finding a job or meaningful opportunities to explore

career fields

Case Study

Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) Vernon-Central neighborhood in South Los Angeles

Community Characteristic Vernon-Central

Los Angeles County

Population age 18-24 12.8% 10.8%

Families with income below poverty level 39.1% 12.6%

Young adults age 18-24 with income below poverty level

31.8% 19.7%

Households with public assistance 10% 3.7%

Shortage of affordable housing 64.8% 54.2%

Young adults age 18-24 with no high school diploma

39.7% 19.9%

Adults age 25+ with no high school diploma 64.9% 24.1%

Data sources: US Census 2010; ACS 2006-2010

Case Study

CRCD Academy

Youth Source

Youth Build

239 SH units

across 7 sites

CRCD Enterprises

Leader-ship &

Employ-ment

Served 363

youth in 2013

Employed 71 youth in 2013

23 youth in SH are also

in other CRCD

programs

28th Street Apartments