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## Other Youth Topics

## Breadcrumb

            -  Youth Topics 
            -  Homelessness and Runaway 
            -           Interagency Efforts to Reduce Homelessness      

# Interagency Efforts to Reduce Homelessness

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is a collaborative partnership between federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector with a goal of coordinating efforts to reduce and end homelessness.

## History of the Council

Then known as the Interagency Council on the Homeless, USICH was authorized by Title II of the landmark Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act enacted on July 22, 1987 (PL 100-77). The Council was created as an “independent establishment” within the executive branch to review the effectiveness of federal activities and programs to assist people experiencing homelessness, promote better coordination among agency programs, and inform state and local governments and public and private sector organizations about the availability of federal homeless assistance. The name was changed in 2002 when the Council members voted to approve changing the name of the agency to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. This change was enacted into law in 2004 (PL 108-199).

The most recent reauthorization of USICH occurred in 2009 with enactment of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act. (PL111-22).

## Council Membership

The current members of the Council include the heads of the following 19 departments and agencies:
                      - U.S. Department of Agriculture
                      - U.S. Department of Commerce
                      - U.S. Department of Defense
                      - U.S. Department of Education
                      - U.S. Department of Energy
                      - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
                      - U.S. Department of Homeland Security
                      - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
                      - U.S. Department of the Interior
                      - U.S. Department of Justice
                      - U.S. Department of Labor
                      - U.S. Department of Transportation
                      - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
                      - Corporation for National and Community Service
                      - General Services Administration
                      - Office of Management and Budget
                      - Social Security Administration
                      - United States Postal Service
                      - White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives

## Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness

The Council developed a strategic plan, *Opening Doors,* (PDF, 74 pages) which was presented to the Office of the President and Congress on June 22, 2010. *Opening Doors* sets the goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015 and chronic homelessness by 2017, and to ending homelessness among youth, and families with children by 2020. The plan presents strategies building upon the lesson that mainstream housing, health, education, and human service programs must be fully engaged and coordinated to prevent and end homelessness:
                      - Increasing leadership, collaboration, and civic engagement, with a focus on providing and promoting collaborative leadership at all levels of government and across all sectors, and strengthening the capacity of public and private organizations by increasing knowledge about collaboration and successful interventions to prevent and end homelessness
                      - Increasing access to stable and affordable housing, by providing affordable housing and permanent supportive housing
                      - Increasing economic security, by expanding opportunities for meaningful and sustainable employment and improving access to mainstream programs and services to reduce financial vulnerability to homelessness
                      - Improving health and stability by linking health care with homeless assistance programs and housing, advancing stability for youth aging out of systems such as foster care and juvenile justice, and improving discharge planning for people who have frequent contact with hospitals and criminal justice systems
                      - Retooling the homeless response system by transforming homeless services to crisis response systems that prevent homelessness and rapidly returning people who experience homelessness to stable housing

## Framework to Address Youth Homelessness

The USICH met on June 12, 2012, with a focus on addressing the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020. The meeting included policy experts from a range of federal agencies. These experts suggested a framework (PDF, 15 pages) for addressing the goals in the strategic plan and ending youth homelessness. The framework provides strategies for how to approach the problem of youth homelessness through a more coordinated approach and includes a preliminary intervention model that builds on knowledge of effective, research-based interventions for subgroups of youth. Using this framework as a guide, stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels can begin to work collaboratively with all agencies and programs that serve youth experiencing homelessness to make meaningful and measurable improvements in core outcomes for youth. Listen to Bryan Samuels, Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services, discuss the framework and hear experts in the field respond. 

*Note: Text adapted from**http://www.usich.gov/about_us/*

## Resources

**Opening Doors****(PDF, 74 pages)***Opening Doors* is the strategic plan developed by the USICH. The plan sets the goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015 and chronic homelessness by 2017, and homelessness among youth, and families with children by 2020. The plan presents strategies building upon the lesson that mainstream housing, health, education, and human service programs must be fully engaged and coordinated to prevent and end homelessness.

**Federal Programs to End Homelessness**There are many federal programs that are designed to help prevent and end homelessness. Some are specifically targeted toward this goal, while others, referred to as "mainstream programs" are available to all low-income persons who meet eligibility criteria. Click on "Departments" on the page to learn about what different departments are doing to end homelessness.

**Opening Doors: Framework to Address Homelessness Among Youth****(PDF, 15 pages)**This framework, presented at the June 2012 USICH meeting, provides a strategic approach to addressing youth homelessness in a coordinated manner using an intervention model that incorporates research-based interventions to address risk factors and promote protective factors.

## Other Resources on this Topic

### Agencies 

                          - Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

### Announcements 

                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - Observance: 2023 Global Diversity Awareness Month
                          - Permanency for Youth on Their Own Terms
                          - Pride Month Census Data
                          - Recent Event: HUD Awards Nearly $500,000 to Public Housing Authorities to Help Young People Aging out of Foster Care
                          - Report: A Guide to Effective Collaborations with Community-Based Organizations to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Report: Food Insecurity and Health-Related Concerns Among Elementary Schoolteachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - Report: Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth
                          - Report: Lessons from a Historic Decline in Child Poverty
                          - Resource: “My Dream Home” Activity
                          - Resource: ACS-ED Data
                          - Resource: Activate: The Center to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals
                          - Resource: Advances in Supporting Kinship Caregivers Podcast Series
                          - Resource: All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
                          - Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
                          - Resource: Ask Youth Challenge
                          - Resource: Broadband Access Landscape
                          - Resource: Child Welfare in the News
                          - Resource: Core Youth Outcomes in Youth of Color
                          - Resource: Determining Youth and Young Adult Eligibility for Services: Grantee Tools and Processes
                          - Resource: Federal Student Aid and Homeless Youth
                          - Resource: From Evidence to Action: A Federal Homelessness Research Agenda
                          - Resource: Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Resource: Highlights From the 2020 Juvenile Residential Facility Census
                          - Resource: Homeless Resources
                          - Resource: Housing Services
                          - Resource: John H. Chafee Foster Care for Successful Transition to Adulthood Program Resource List
                          - Resource: Joint Letter Regarding the Assignment of Rights to Child Support for Children in Foster Care
                          - Resource: LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Mental Health Awareness Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Most Kids with Parent in Same-Sex Relationship Live with Female Couple
                          - Resource: NCFY
                          - Resource: OnTheMap for Emergency Management
                          - Resource: Placement Stability
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reentry to Foster Care
                          - Resource: Rethinking Service Array for Young People Transitioning from Child Welfare
                          - Resource: Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit
                          - Resource: Screening and Assessment Tools
                          - Resource: September 2022 Spotlight on Kinship Care
                          - Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22
                          - Resource: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Questions to Consider
                          - Resource: Supporting LGBTQI+ Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: The National Center for Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (The National SOGIE Center) 
                          - Resource: Tip Sheets on Everyday Parenting Topics
                          - Resource: Transporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Unregulated Custody Transfers of Adopted Children
                          - Resource: Voices Amplified
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Second Chance Month: April 2023
                          - Share with Youth: 1-800-RUNAWAY Public Service Announcement (PSA)
                          - Toolkit: National Foster Care Month 2022 Outreach
                          - Webinar Recording: Elevating the Leadership of Students and Families with Lived Expertise
                          - Webinar Recording: Homelessness in Foster Care: What Would Really Keep Foster Youth From Sleeping in Offices
                          - Webinar Recording: Providing Emergency Preparedness Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Webinar Recording: Supporting English Learners (ELs) Experiencing Homelessness: An ARP-HCY Implementation Spotlight
                          - Youth Voices Have Moved to YE4C

### Collaboration Profiles 

                          - Atlanta Housing Authority
                          - Resources
                          - Y2CONNECT.org

### Data Sources 

                          - 2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report
                          - American FactFinder
                          - Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness

### Feature Articles 

                          - Father’s Day 2012 – Reconnecting Families and Dads Saturday, June 16th, 2012
                          - Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C
                          - Minnesota's Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth Program
                          - Nation's Housing Authorities to Celebrate Fathers Day
                          - Report on Well-Being of Nation’s Children Released
                          - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/GreatSchools Partnership – Coordinating Housing Assistance with Educational Opportunities

### Programs 

                          - Administration for Children and Families/Family and Youth Services Bureau Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
                          - Choice Neighborhoods
                          - Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Toolkit
                          - Family Unification Program
                          - John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
                          - Neighborhood Networks
                          - Public and Indian Housing
                          - Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Program

### Publications 

                          - Healthy Homes Program Brochure
                          - HUD Strategic Plan FY 2010 -2015
                          - Seven Steps to a Healthy Home
                          - Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

### Resources 

                          - Ending Housing Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals and Families
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - The Equal Access to Housing Rule and Youth
                          - Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

### Technical Assistance 

                          - Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
                          - Homelessness Resource Center
                          - Office of Public and Indian Housing Training and Technical Assistance
                          - Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Centers
                          - Rural Information Center

### Tools & Guides 

                          - Healthy Homes Website
                          - Rural Development Funding Notices

### Websites 

                          - Interagency Council on Homelessness

## Youth Briefs

How Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities
Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age 16. Transition services should stem from the individual youth’s needs and strengths, ensuring that planning takes into account his or her interests, preferences, and desires for the future.

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference
Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities, and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people

How Trained Service Professionals and Self-Advocacy Makes a Difference for Youth with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Co-occurring Issues
Statistics reflecting the number of youth suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders highlight the necessity for schools, families, support staff, and communities to work together to develop targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive transition plans for young people with a history of mental health needs and/or substance abuse.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions
Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Coordinating Systems to Support Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs
Research has demonstrated that as many as one in five children/youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth
Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Read about one youth’s experience in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

## Main navigation

- Homelessness and Runaway
- Federal Definitions
- Rates
- Family Conflict and Violence
- LGBT
- Education
- Child Welfare
- Juvenile Justice
- Behavioral Health
- Physical & Reproductive Health
- Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness
- Federal Programs
- Interagency Efforts
- Federal Data Sources
- References

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## Latest Resources

### Agencies

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

### Announcements

Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22

Resource: Voices Amplified

Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

### Collaboration Profiles

Y2CONNECT.org

Resources

Atlanta Housing Authority

### Data Sources

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

### Feature Articles

Resources to Support Youth Who Have Lost a Caregiver

Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C

A Hand and Paw Partnership Benefits Homeless Youth

### Hotlines

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

### Publications

What Factors Predict Whether Youth Will Run Away or Become Homeless Again After Returning Home?

Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

SNAP: Clarification of Policies Barriers Facing Homeless Youth

### Resources

Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

Share with Youth: Youth Speak Out: Shared Experiences Help Rural Youth Leaders Connect

Resource: Data on Homeless Students