Young Adult Housing and Rental Assistance

Eligibility

• Age 18-24 or emancipated minor
• At risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, including young people who are couch surfing, doubled up, housed but struggling to cover expenses, in unsafe living conditions, and other situations.
• Income may not exceed “low” income limit (80% HUD Area Median Income) at initial enrollment. Young adults may continue receiving services while earning more if they participate in an individualized savings plan.

These are the only eligibility requirements from OHY. Programs may use additional criteria to prioritize assistance within their available funding. There is no restriction on serving eligible young adults with dependents or in households, but it does impact the amount of assistance provided. There is no restriction on receiving Extended Foster Care stipends while receiving OHY rental assistance.

*Independent Youth Housing Program (IYHP) has different eligibility criteria.

Services

Organizations use funding towards a variety of different program types. They have flexibility in designing how best meet the unique needs of their local community with the resources available. Programs may use OHY funds to support one or more of the following models. All programs include case management.

For details on a specific organization’s services, contact the provider found on OHY Resources for Youth and Young Adults (Excel). 

Rental assistance

Young adults live in apartments, rooms in friends or family member’s homes, or other community-based units. Young people hold the lease and can remain in their home after they exit the program. This model often provides more choice on unit type and location but can be limiting depending on the availability of affordable rental options in the area. Rental assistance must be paid directly to the property owner.

• Currently homelessness young adults are served through “rapid rehousing” programs. Providers assist in locating and applying for housing options. Financial assistance is typically used for deposits and other move-in fees as well as monthly rent to support in maintaining stable housing.
• Unstably housed young adults, such as those at risk of eviction or needing to move away from safety concerns, are served through “homelessness prevention” programs. This may include paying overdue rent (“arrears”) or housing related fees, assisting with moving to a safer location, or providing monthly rental assistance.

Housing programs

Programs may have housing available in properties that they lease or own. These models allow for more reliably available units and often have more structure and staff support than living independently in the community. Stays are typically tied to program enrollment and require support transitioning into permanent housing.

• Agency properties provide apartments in a centralized building or rooms within shared house. These programs often have case management or other supports onsite or are intentionally located in easily accessible areas.
• Subleased apartments are units that the service provider leases in the community. This may be “transitional housing” where the young person must move when they exit the program or “transition-in-place” model where the provider transfers the lease to the young person prior to exit. This model can also benefit property owners as a source of reliable rent, renter turnover management, and support addressing issues with complaints or damages all while helping young people maintain safe and stable housing.
• Host homes are an alternative model that provides housing in volunteer hosts’ private homes. Host home programs recruit and screen potential host homes, provide on-going case management to the youth, and support both the youth and host home in transitioning to safe and stable housing.

Regardless of funding sources, all host homes serving youth under age 18 must follow requirements outlined in RCW 74.15.020. This includes registering with the Secretary of State and submitting the Host Homes Annual Report form (Smartsheet) to OHY.