A cash plus model for youth experiencing homelessness: Making homelessness brief and nonrecurring

Abstract

Direct cash transfers are a flexible tool with the potential to improve housing instability, financial health and food security.

Around the world, unconditional cash transfers given directly to individuals, families, and households are a promising tool to support greater agency and pathways to thriving. Increasing evidence from recent U.S. pilot programs show reductions in food insecurity, improvements in financial health, reductions in stress, and positive impact on housing due to cash transfers. Globally, direct cash transfers (DCTs) are among the most well-evaluated interventions for addressing poverty, boosting well-being, increasing educational attainment, and improving health
outcomes and employment.

Increasingly, governments, philanthropy, and nonprofits are deploying direct cash transfers to prevent, address, and end a growing national crisis: youth and young adult homelessness. Drawing on the literature on youth homelessness, positive youth development, transitions to adulthood, and cash transfers, this policy brief explores the evolution of a cash plus model designed with young adults for young adults to specifically address youth and young adult homelessness, the components of the model, its adaptable features across sites, and anticipated outcomes.