Operating a Youth Homelessness Prevention Program: A Case Study from the P3 Pilot in Sacramento, California

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Operating a Youth Homelessness Prevention Program: A Case Study from the P3 Pilot in Sacramento, California

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Issue
2022-30

Publication Info

To promote a more integrated system of federal, state, local, and tribal services for disconnected youth, Congress authorized the Performance Partnership Pilots (P3) for Disconnected Youth initiative under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014. The Act allowed up to ten grantee organizations and their partners, together called "pilots", to waive regulations, such as spending and performance requirements, and gain coordinated access to the discretionary funds of five federal agencies. One grantee, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), convened community partners to establish a process through which disconnected youth ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity could access specially set-aside Housing Choice Vouchers and receive case management to support their housing placement and retention.

This case study explores the Sacramento P3 pilot operated by SHRA and its three youth-serving partner agencies, from P3 grant application through program design and implementation. Drawing on interviews, site visits, and a youth focus group, this case study offers lessons learned and considerations for youth homelessness prevention and intervention programs.

The authors offer the following considerations for those planning similar interventions:

  • Plan for intensive case management to help youth address multiple barriers and retain housing.
  • Identify key staff at the public housing authority to be the point of contact for the intervention.
  • Develop relationships with landlords to increase their knowledge about homeless youth set-aside HCVs and accompanying services.
  • Work across the community's housing and youth service and advocacy organizations to best meet youths' needs.
  • Understand the local housing market to help youth navigate their options.