Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Round 8 (YHDP) in San Diego County
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What is YHDP?

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is a national initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to serve communities in developing coordinated strategies to prevent and end homelessness among youth and young adults aged 14 to 24.

In October 2024, the San Diego Continuum of Care (CoC), led by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH), was awarded $9.75 million through YHDP Round 8—the largest award in California and the second round of funding for San Diego. This funding is being used to create youth-led solutions with local partners and young people with lived expertise of homelessness.

Part of the process included working with youth and community partners to develop and submit to HUD a CCP, this was completed and submitted on August 1st and has been approved by HUD.

Award Amounts:

  • YHDP Round 2 – $7.94 million – Award Announcement – click here
  • YHDP Round 8 – $9.75M million – Award Announcement – click here

As part of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), the RTFH and its partners—including the Youth Action Board (YAB), youth service providers, and local government—created San Diego’s CCP. In 2025, the CCP was updated to reflect the YHDP Round 8 award, addressing current system needs, the revised governance structure, and a unified vision, mission, and goals, with endorsement from the YAB and community partners.

San Diego YHDP Coordinated Community Plan (YHDP CCP)

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How YHDP Funds Are Used

75% of San Diego’s YHDP funding is dedicated to creating and sustaining housing options for youth experiencing homelessness. This includes:

  • Joint Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing (TH-RRH)
  • Standalone Rapid Rehousing (RRH)
  • Kinship Care payments
  • Expansion of Drop-In Centers and therapeutic services
  • Rental assistance for up to 36 months
  • Wraparound services including legal help, education and employment supports, childcare, and mental health care

This investment also supports planning, evaluation, and youth compensation for participation in program design and governance.

“This isn’t just funding housing—we’re funding belonging, dignity, and pathways to a future.” — San Diego YAB Member

Youth Leadership: The YAB

The San Diego Youth Action Board (YAB) is a collective of youth and young adults with lived experience of homelessness who help guide decisions around YHDP funding, services, and planning.

The YAB:

  • Reviews and approves the Coordinated Community Plan (CCP)
  • Participates in project selection and review
  • Advises on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
  • Ensures youth voice is present at every level of the CoC

The Youth Advisory Board currently consists of 10 General Members and 3 Executive Members. The board welcomes new youth participants and convenes biweekly on Thursdays at 1:00 PM. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact Kia Sanders at kia.sanders@rtfhsd.org.

Housing Model Resources

Youth Homelessness Resources

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