A young person trying to move from homelessness to housing has to jump over so many hurdles and some of those hurdles are the services and systems that are supposed to help. We could describe some of those systems but young people who have experienced them say it best:
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This year, we’ve reformed the Index to focus on unhoused youth and young adults (YYA), aligning it with their experiences and policy needs. Shifting from harm reduction to transformative change, some jurisdictions may see lower scores than before. This is a deliberate strategy, not a setback. Lower scores should motivate, not discourage, jurisdictions. They present an opportunity to adopt policies that effectively tackle and prevent youth homelessness, fostering meaningful progress.
Housing Providers Required to Provide Paid Peer Mentors
- Homelessness services
- Maintaining housing
The jurisdiction requires housing providers for youth and young adults to provide youth and young adults with optional paid peer mentors
Housing supports for youth and young adults can include access to behavioral and mental health services, as well as wraparound services that provide assistance with education, employment, and basic needs, such as food and clothing. Paid peer mentors should also be available to provide support as young people navigate the challenges of transitioning to independent or supported living. These supports should always be optional and not a condition of receiving or maintaining housing. And when supports are wanted, they should be provided on demand. The best programs will be designed with input from youth and young adults representing a broad range of experiences and needs.
“Finding my own community saved me. I had nice things at my shelter (as it is highly sponsored and funded) but lacked the support that mattered; pushing my self-sufficiency and individual success did nothing for me but made me feel worse. Therapists told me to avoid people like myself in the shelter, but my peers helped me out of there, not my team. At my housing program, most of the folks getting kicked out were disproportionately black, brown, and LGBTQ. They hold youth to such high standards, and when we don’t meet them, they take away our support systems and label us a problem.”– Theo O.
| Key | Metric Score | Type of Policy | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Transformative Edge | The jurisdiction requires housing providers for youth and young adults to provide paid peer mentors that are optional for the young person | |
| 1.0 | Reform | The jurisdiction encourages housing providers for youth and young adults to provide paid peer mentors that are optional for the young person | |
| 0.5 | Harm Reduction | The jurisdiction has peer mentors available in some circumstances but they are not paid | |
| No Data | No Data | No Data |
Cite: National Homelessness Law Center and True Colors United. ", Housing Providers Required to Provide Paid Peer Mentors" https://youthstateindex.com/maps/housing-providers-required-to-provide-paid-peer-mentors/. Accessed: July 25, 2024.
- Appropriations (or Other Services) to Maintain Housing
- Housing Providers Required to Provide Mental/Behavioral Health Supports
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Maintaining housing
Maintaining housing or “security of tenure” is an essential part of the right to housing. This principle ensures that individuals and families have a sense of stability and security in knowing that they will not be arbitrarily evicted from their homes. It means that people can establish roots in their communities and have a sense of belonging. Security of tenure also helps to prevent homelessness and displacement, which can have devastating and long-lasting effects.
“People weaponize their privilege and power. We should identify and call out benign -isms and phobias. Parenting individuals – especially black women – are more likely to be evicted, black men are more likely to be denied housing at the jump. The whole family unit may not be approved for housing – which can lead to issues when those families choose to stay together “breaking the rules” which can result in eviction. Racism and prejudice runs rampant and pushes people into untenable situations.” – Tiffany S. Haynes
Homelessness services
Model Statute:
These maps are provided as legal information only and should not be used as legal advice for your specific situation. If you need help with any of the issues described on this website, please check out the Homeless Youth Legal Network (HYLN) directory OR email or call HYLN for help finding a referral to a lawyer.
