is Creating Innovative Solutions to Reduce Youth Homelessness in Western PA by Carol Dunlap, Bridge2Home Host Home Supervisor
Youth in Your Community are Waiting for Host Homes
A
t Valley Youth House, we envision a world in which every young person belongs to a nurturing community. We are the catalyst for youth to achieve their desired future through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places, and build community connections.
Community human service agencies report that this number does not capture the extent of runaway youth, youth who are “couch surfing”, or unstably housed seen by their services. Therefore, the number of youth who are homeless is likely much higher.
In 2019, Valley Youth House expanded into Western PA to meet the increasing need of youth experiencing homelessness. We are currently serving Allegheny County with our Bridge2Home, Host Home Program.
Bridge2Home is a supportive, temporary housing program that works with young people ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Valley Youth House matches a youth in need with a nurturing environment (a host home). The goal of the program is to assist youth with safe, short-term housing or make decisions about other housing options with the support of a caring case manager and the guidance of a community volunteer.
Our decision to expand services into Western PA was based on increased numbers of youth in need of stable housing. In 2018-2019, Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (ECYEH) identified 39,221 children and youth experiencing homelessness as being served by their program. This is the largest number ever reported from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and it continues to grow. Westmoreland County is no exception. In 2018-2019, the County identified 503 students experiencing homelessness.
What is Bridge2Home?
What is a Host Home?
A Host Home is a short-term (approximately 6-month) housing intervention for youth who are currently experiencing homelessness for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, abuse, family conflict, poverty, pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Host Homes provide a room to a youth after a matching process that utilizes
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youth choice and voice. There are two paths to becoming a Host: 1. A Host may be recruited from the community 2. A Host may already know the youth and is currently providing housing and support without realizing that they qualify as a Host. This is the path of being “youth selected”. The Host would be formalized to provide support from Valley Youth House and financial assistance that will help the youth achieve their goals.
Why do we use a Host Home Model to address youth homelessness?
Host Homes is a flexible model that is effective in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Host Homes allow youth to remain in their community and build authentic relationships with caring adults. Host Homes guide a path for youth success in a homelike setting, promote youth choice and voice, and assist with transition for youth to more independent housing options.
Why do we focus on youth who are experiencing homelessness? Serving youth has been at the core of
