Background
In 2018, SB 6560 put into law that no young person exiting a system of care would be released into homelessness. As a continuation of that work, HB 1905 was passed in 2022, requiring relevant state agencies to work together as part of the Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team (YYAHRT) to coordinate resources to youth and young adults in an effort to secure appropriate housing and other supports as they exit a publicly funded system of care.
In addition, services and supports must incorporate youth or young adult voice and choice and be responsive to the individual needs of each young person.
Some resources identified by the response team which can support young people’s efforts to secure appropriate housing may include, but are not limited to:
- Behavioral health services
- Civil legal aid
- Peer support
- Family reconciliation or engagement services
- Employment support
- Education support
- Case management
- Housing and financial support
- Other navigation support to secure safe and stable housing
About the Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), in equal partnership with the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY), Health Care Authority of Washington State (HCA), and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) of The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), is tasked with creating a cross-agency group who will collect, track, and report data related to gaps and barriers to stable housing for young people exiting publicly funded systems of care which include behavorial health, juvenile justice, office of homeless youth programs, and child welfare systems.
DCYF will receive all referrals to the YYAHRT for individual youth and young adults in need of resources intended to help with housing stability. These services will center the youth or young adult, including their strengths and identified goals. Resources identified will be aligned with the young person’s stated goals.