WHAT IS THE YOUTH HOMELESSNESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM?
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is a HUD initiative that helps communities create and implement programs to prevent and end youth homelessness. The program supports housing options like rapid re-housing and transitional housing for young people under the age of 25 who are experiencing homelessness. When you partner with YHDP, you're helping young adults establish stability while receiving reliable rental payments and support services that ensure successful tenancies.
The YHDP program is collaborative in nature, requiring participation from multiple stakeholders. This means that youth, service providers, housing agencies, and community partners all have obligations and responsibilities under the YHDP program. A brief summary of each party's role is below:
- HUD: HUD provides funding to local communities through the Continuum of Care (CoC). This funding pays for rental assistance and supportive services for young adults experiencing homelessness.
- Service Provider: The local service provider works directly with landlords and youth. They make timely rental payments and act as a liaison between you and the tenant. Service providers conduct regular check-ins with tenants and help address any issues that arise during the tenancy. They assist with paperwork and rental agreements, and conduct unit inspections to ensure quality standards are maintained.
- Landlord: As a landlord in the YHDP program, you provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing at a reasonable rent and maintain the property in good condition. You fulfill standard landlord responsibilities as outlined in the lease and communicate with the service provider about any concerns. Like with any tenant, you follow standard legal procedures for addressing lease violations if they occur.
- Tenant: Young adults in the program are expected to pay their portion of rent on time (if applicable) and maintain the unit in good condition. They comply with the terms of their lease and participate in case management services. Tenants are also encouraged to communicate with their service provider about any issues or concerns that arise during their tenancy.
Here are a few FAQs:
- What if rent is missed? You'll have a designated contact who responds within one business day to resolve payment issues.
- Is there protection for damages? Yes, the program can cover damages up to one month's rent, beyond the standard security deposit.
- What support comes after move-in? Regular home visits, case management, and mediation services with a dedicated point of contact.
- How is this different from Section 8? This is time-limited assistance with supportive services, not a permanent voucher program.
As a Landlord, if you are interested in partnering with our Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program please click here. By working together, we can help young adults in our community find stable housing and build successful futures.
To learn more about YHDP, click here.
