California has the largest number of unaccompanied homeless youth in the nation, with 12,712 homeless youth on any given night. This is more than any other state in the nation and represents more than 1 in 3 of the total number of unaccompanied homeless youth nationwide.
Unfortunately, California has not received its “fair share” of federal funding to address homelessness among unaccompanied youth. Despite its overwhelming need, California has received just 8.6% percent of federal funding for homeless youth.
In May, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will be awarding an additional $145 million to address youth homelessness and this time, John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is making sure that California gets in on the action.
Thanks to the generous support of its supporters, JBAY will provide grants to local communities to apply for this critical federal funding. The funds may be used to pay for grant writers and cover other costs associated with completing the complex federal application.
“Youth homelessness is at a crisis level in California,” said JBAY Executive Director Amy Lemley. “We have to take every opportunity at the local, state and federal level to secure the resources needed to help youth.”
Applications are due at the end of July and the JBAY housing team, led by Director Simone Tureck Lee, is busy conducting outreach to help local communities apply. JBAY is offering the grant to communities across the state and conducting intensive outreach in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, given their high rates of youth homelessness.
Stay tuned for more information about what communities apply for and receive this critical funding to end youth homelessness.