Point Source Youth’s Targeted Housing Assistance Program: A Flexible Cash Assistance Initiative Results Across 7 States

Youth homelessness is a growing crisis in the United States, with an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experiencing homelessness annually, including 700,000 unaccompanied minors. Despite the increasing need, most communities lack effective interventions to prevent youth and young adult homelessness.

Point Source Youth’s Targeted Housing Assistance Program is an innovative, community-led approach designed to quickly provide flexible housing support to young people at risk of homelessness. Unlike traditional programs, Targeted Housing Assistance Program removes bureaucratic barriers, decentralizes decision-making, and empowers service providers to distribute funds efficiently. The program has directly served 345 households (and 623 individuals total) across seven states (Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and New York), with 90% of participants remaining stably housed one month post receipt of cash.