Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project

My Role

As a project manager in Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP), I oversaw the launch of the Rapid Rehousing Grant, which provided comprehensive support for homeless youth. I also had the privilege of leading a team to develop and implement the Coordinated Community Plan (CCP) to address youth homelessness across the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. Our work has been all about collaboration, innovation, and making a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness.

Evolution

Prior to the YHDP, youth homelessness in Los Angeles was tackled through various disjointed initiatives. The CCP aimed to create a unified approach to address youth homelessness by bringing together key stakeholders and integrating innovative strategies. With a $15 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we established various programs, including permanent housing, rapid re-housing, and innovative initiatives such as host homes.

I guided the launch of launch the Rapid Rehousing project through its initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and control phases. During initiation, we defined the project's purpose, objectives, scope, stakeholders, and constraints. The planning phase involved creating a timetable, budget, resource allocation strategy, and risk management plan. Execution saw the development and implementation of various programs and strategies, while the monitoring and control phase involved tracking progress, identifying issues, and ensuring the project remained on budget and schedule. The YHDP has been successful in securing sustained funding for youth homelessness in Los Angeles for years to come.

Key Takeaways

• Unified Approach: The YHDP has brought together key stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address youth homelessness in Los Angeles.
• Innovative Strategies: By incorporating innovative strategies like rapid re-housing and host homes, the project has helped to increase the effectiveness of homelessness interventions and support services for youth and young adults.
• Sustained Funding: The integration of the CCP into LAHSA's annual HUD funding application has ensured continued funding for youth homelessness initiatives in Los Angeles, creating lasting impact and support for this vulnerable population.