In 2018, SB 6560 passed, agreeing that no young person should exit a system of care into homelessness. In 2022 HB 1905 passed requiring 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 Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to work together to respond to these young people. The Youth and Young Adult Housing Response Team (Response Team). coordinates resources for youth and young adults. They help them with housing and other areas where they need support as they leave a publicly funded system of care like behavioral health, juvenile justice, office of homeless youth programs, and child welfare systems.
The Response Team connects young people to resources like:
- 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
This cross-agency team works together to collect, track, and report data related to gaps and barriers to stable housing for young people leaving publicly funded systems of care.
DCYF receives inquiries and full referrals for youth and young adults in need of resources to help with housing stability. The team takes a youth-centered approach, focusing on the young person’s needs and goals.
