OHY provides technical assistance to grantees to support effective utilization of awarded funding. OHY provides resources and case consultation, develops best practices, and collaborates with community partners. Grantees are encouraged to contact their OHY program managers for individualized technical assistance with their grant.
Program guidelines
Grantees are first and foremost bound to the terms stated in the contract with the Department of Commerce. Compliance with OHY Program Guidelines is included as a term of the grant contract. Commerce may revise guidelines at any time. All grantees will be sent revised copies. Grantees are responsible for using the most current version and sending revisions to any subgrantees in a timely manner.
The following seven sections are general requirements that apply to all grants with OHY. Each grant type also has specific program guidelines outlining the purpose of the funds, eligibility criteria, service provision and any other grant specific requirements or exceptions to the general guidelines.
- Contracting overview (PDF)
- Required policies (PDF)
- Data and performance (PDF)
- Fiscal administration (PDF)
- Personnel (PDF)
- Services (PDF)
- Rental assistance, if applicable (PDF)
Complete program guidelines are listed below by grant type. These documents contain requirements specific to individual grants and as well as all applicable general sections in one PDF.
- ACI – Anchor Communities Initiative (PDF)
- ATS – Ancillary Therapeutic Services (PDF)
- Community Support Teams (PDF)
- HOPE, Crisis Residential Center & Secure CRC (PDF)
- HPDF – Homelessness Prevention & Diversion Fund (PDF)
- HSSP – Homeless Student Stability Program (PDF)
- H-SYNC – Housing Stability for Youth in Courts (PDF)
- IYHP – Independent Youth Housing Program (PDF)
- Protected Healthcare Services (PDF)
- SOS – Street Outreach Services (PDF)
- SOC – System of Care (PDF)
- TLP – Transitional Living Program (PDF)
- YAHP – Young Adult Housing Program (PDF)
- YAS – Young Adult Shelter (PDF)
- YHDP – Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (PDF)
- Monthly Voucher Detail (Excel) form required with monthly invoice submissions
- OHY HMIS Data Quality Report Guide (PDF) instructions for running reports required with invoice submissions
- Flexible Funds – Allowable Expenses (PDF) reference list of expenses allowable for all OHY grants to meet individual participant needs as outlined in the Financial Administration section of program guidelines
- Rental Assistance – Allowable Expenses (PDF) reference list of expenses allowable in the rental assistance budget category for applicable OHY grants (IYHP, YAHP, ACI, SOC, HSSP)
- Budget Proposal & Revision Request Form (Excel) form used for proposing initial budgets and any requested revisions
- Maintenance vs Building Expenses (PDF) reference guide for determining eligible facilities expenses
- OHY Data Collection Requirements (Excel) includes data requirements for each OHY grant type, allowable project types for each OHY grant, eligible services for project types, custom elements, and optional sample templates for data collection forms
- OHY HMIS Data Quality Report Guide (PDF) instructions for running reports required with invoice submissions
- Performance Progress Report Template (Word) this narrative report is due January 31st and July 31st for each grant
- Performance Risk Assessment and Monitoring Guide (PDF) outlines performance requirements for applicable OHY grants (HOPE/CRC, TLP, IYHP, YAHP, SOS, and YAS)
- Rental Assistance Flowchart (PDF) visual guide of requirements for providing rental assistance
- Rental Assistance – Allowable Expenses (PDF) reference list of expenses allowable in the rental assistance budget category for applicable OHY grants (IYHP, YAHP, ACI, SOC, HSSP)
- Rental Assistance Calculator (Excel) sample template to determine assistance based on participant income and household expenses
- Certification of Payment Obligation-Family and Friends (Word) (Spanish version) alternative form to a formal lease
- Housing Habitability Standards – CHG (Word) sample template if using Consolidated Housing Grant (CHG) standards
- Lead Based Paint Visual Assessment Requirements (PDF) based on HUD standards
- Landlord Habitability Certification (Word) (Spanish version) to be completed by landlord
- IYHP Eligibility Verification form (Word)
- YAHP Eligibility Verification form (Word)
Learning opportunities
OHY supports increased education and understanding through individual technical assistance to grantees as well as facilitating webinars, research, and connections to resources.
OHY grantee calendar (PDF)
Links to webinars and due date reminders for OHY grantees. Event notices are emailed to current OHY grantee staff. Please help us keep our contact list up to date by completing this OHY grantee contact list (Smartsheet) form.
- Introduction for new OHY grantees (PDF) how to get started after being awarded OHY funds
- OHY webinar recordings and slides (Box)
- Data, research and reports (Box) includes OHY legislative reports, strategic plans, landscape scans, and other information about homeless youth and young adults in Washington
- External training resources for OHY required topics (PDF) Staff training requirements are listed in the Personnel section of program guidelines. The specific trainings listed do not have to completed but are resources that can be used to meet requirements.
- Training and Tools for Recipients of Housing Funds – Commerce Housing Division
- Case Management Ratios: COVID-19 Homeless System Response (hudexchange.info)
- Consent for Youth in Shelter – 2023 Legislative Changes for Licensed Shelters (PDF)
- Federal Foster Care Overview (PDF)
- Financial Aid | WSAC
- Foundational Community Supports (FCS) resources | Washington State Health Care Authority
- Glossary of OHY acronyms and terms (PDF)
- Homeless Youth Handbook – Washington
- THIS is Housing First for Youth – Program Model Guide (PDF)
- Independent Living Skills Program (dcyf.wa.gov)
- Know Your Rights: Civil Immigration Enforcement in Washington
- Know Your Rights Flier Gender Care (PDF)
- Minor Consent Chart – Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (PDF)
- Pathways to Employment (DSHS)
- Pathways to Housing (DSHS)
- Peer counselors | Washington State Health Care Authority
- SUD Family Navigator Training – Washington State Community Connectors (wsccsupport.org)
- Reduced Cost Services Guide (DSHS)
- SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) samhsa.gov
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Resource Library
- When can a minor access health care without parental consent? WashingtonLawHelp.org
- Youth Access to Counsel | Office of Public Defense (wa.gov)
- Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team (YYAHRT)