Riverside County Continuum of Care Receives Historic HUD YHDP Award to Support Homeless Transitional Aged Youth

Riverside, CA - The Riverside County Continuum of Care (CoC) proudly announces its unprecedented achievement of receiving the esteemed United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) award. This landmark allocation of $7,487,462.00 marks the first-ever award granted to our community, and third largest award in the nation,  specifically aimed at supporting homeless transitional aged youth between the ages of 18 and 24.

The Riverside County Continuum of Care has been relentless in its pursuit of addressing homelessness and ensuring that vulnerable transitional aged youth have access to the necessary resources for a brighter future.

“The YHDP award, represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to address youth homelessness. This funding will not only strengthen our existing programs but also provide us with the resources to develop new initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the lives of homeless transitional aged youth in Riverside County. This award further reinforces our commitment to ensuring that no young person in our community is left without a safe and supportive environment to thrive in," said Second District Supervisor Karen Spiegel.

This historic HUD YHDP award to the Riverside County Continuum of Care is a testament to the unwavering commitment and tireless dedication of our community partners, local government agencies, and nonprofits. Their collective efforts have made this achievement possible and will continue to drive our mission of ending homelessness among transitional aged youth.

The appointment of our dedicated Homeless Youth Coordinator in 2020 was a pivotal moment in our journey. Through her invaluable expertise and contributions, she has successfully formalized processes to guide youth through our comprehensive system of services. This strategic approach empowers them to transition from homelessness to secure housing and provides essential linkages to vital resources such as workforce development and behavioral health support.

In the spirit of collaboration and empowering youth voices, we are excited to announce that (15) formerly homeless youth, who are part of our Continuum of Care Youth Action Board, will play a pivotal role in coordinating and implementing the HUD YHDP grant. Their lived experiences and unique perspectives will ensure that the programs and initiatives established through this award are tailored to the specific needs of our homeless transitional aged youth.

"We are thrilled to receive the HUD YHDP award, which will enable us to further enhance our efforts in supporting homeless transitional aged youth in Riverside County. We are grateful for this recognition and look forward to working alongside our dedicated Youth Action Board to create lasting change in the lives of our community's most vulnerable youth," shared Monique Guerra, CoC Homeless Youth Coordinator.

The Riverside County Continuum of Care has already witnessed significant progress in combating homelessness, with a notable decrease of 27% observed for the first time this year. However, the HUD YHDP award presents an extraordinary opportunity for us to propel our efforts even further. By leveraging this grant, we will be able to expedite the process of getting individuals into housing, thereby reducing the length of time spent in homelessness.

The Riverside County Continuum of Care would like to express heartfelt gratitude to HUD for recognizing our community's commitment and selecting us as a recipient of this prestigious award. Together, we will utilize this funding to implement innovative solutions, expand services, and create lasting change in the lives of our homeless transitional aged youth.

# # #