California’s recently passed state budget included $2.75 billion over a three-year period for Homekey, a statewide program that funds the purchase and rehabilitation of housing, including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other buildings and convert them into interim or permanent, long-term housing.

For the first time, Homekey includes a youth set-aside, which requires 8 percent of funds ($220 million) be available for projects serving homeless youth, or youth at risk of homelessness.

The California Department of Community Development is currently developing the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), with a targeted September release. Now is an important time for youth providers to learn about this important program and begin the groundwork to submit a successful application.