Not all temporary housing options are clean, safe and suitable for human habitation. We will identify quality solutions available to local youth in case of an emergency.
Ensure access to immediate (24/7) emergency housing for any youth identified as sleeping in a place not fit for human habitation.
Tasks:
- Work with current shelter providers to identify youth dedicated shelter beds.
- Identify resources and community partners willing to provide emergency hotel vouchers with the goal of bridging to a temporary or permanent housing situation as quickly as possible.
- Develop guidance for hotel voucher assistance programs that ensure safety of youth.
- Work with the current and potential providers of host home programs to increase access.
- Provide technical assistance for agency case managers to provide youth specific and affirming services during emergency/temporary placement.
- Encourage the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care to create a Youth Homelessness Task Force.
Develop formal partnerships with organizations and systems that see and serve youth with emergency housing needs to identify and connect youth with housing.
Tasks:
- Formalize relationship with existing hospitals in the region to develop process for identification of youth, connection to emergency housing, and resource allocation.
- Identify other existing organizations and systems with whom formal relationships will be developed.
- Connect with and actively support existing initiatives to reduce evictions, particularly those identifying and increasing eviction prevention resources.
Increase temporary and transitional housing options for youth with a variety of strengths and needs.
Tasks:
- Develop a transitional housing program model that is youth-affirming.
- Identify congregate living models that have been successful in other communities.
- Identify housing models (for tasks 1 and 2) that are inclusive and affirming of all identities (for example, not defaulting to sex segregated programs).
- Identify funding opportunities for transitional housing to rapid rehousing pipeline program/s.
- Engage local colleges and universities in 12-month campus housing options and/or extension of existing campus housing to year-round availability.
Work with Coalition partners to enhance individual service plans for youth with a housing focus and building effective relationships with youth.
Tasks:
- Develop a youth-oriented service plan template for housing and homeless service providers that includes attention to the unique needs of youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, youth who have immigrated to the U.S., pregnant and parenting youth, and youth who have been system-involved.
- Work with community partners and Coalition members to develop a plan for implementation, including necessary training.