HHAP Investment Pays Off: Youth Homelessness Down 24% in California Since 2019

California has made significant progress in addressing youth homelessness, with a 24 percent reduction in the number of young people experiencing homelessness between 2019 and 2024. According to the latest published Homeless Point-in-Time Count, the number of homeless youth and young adults dropped from 13,019 to 9,902—including both unaccompanied individuals and youth/young adult-headed households with children.

This progress is largely due to unprecedented investments through California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program. HHAP, along with its predecessor, the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), has required local jurisdictions to allocate a dedicated portion of funds toward youth homelessness through a “youth set-aside.” Initially set at 5% under HEAP in 2018, the youth set-aside increased to 8% with the establishment HHAP in 2019 and further rose to 10% in 2021-22.

For six consecutive years, the state has made one-time investments in HHAP, with data available on the HHAP dashboard. The 2024-25 (round 6) HHAP Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) has now been released by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), inviting applications from counties, homeless Continuums of Care, and California’s 13 largest cities. Once awarded, these funds will be distributed locally to support service providers.

Looking ahead, advocates across the state are pushing for a $1 billion investment in HHAP in 2025-26, which would be consistent with the amount of the last three rounds. After administrative and supplemental costs, this would translate to $78.85 million specifically for addressing youth homelessness under the 10 percent youth set-aside. 

California’s Priority Deadline for State Financial Aid is Extended to April 2nd 

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) announced that the priority deadline to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for state financial aid has been extended for all students from March 3, 2025 to April 2, 2025. Earlier this year, CSAC also granted deadline extensions for high schools and colleges located within Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to wildfire-related disruptions.   

This most recent extension comes in response to the delayed release of the 2025-26 FAFSA, which was pushed back by two months, leaving students with less time to complete their applications. CSAC reported that high school senior application rates are down over 25% from 2023-24, which had a similar March 2 deadline.  This extension will allow students more time to submit their applications and secure vital financial aid. To view the full memo released by CSAC, click HERE. To view JBAY’s suite of financial aid materials for California’s youth in foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth, click HERE.  

Researchers Suggest Extended Foster Care May Protect Against Residential Mobility for California’s Foster Youth

The TAY-Hub of the California Child Welfare Indicators Project has released a brief highlighting a new study on characteristics of non-minor dependents (NMDs) with higher rates of residential mobility. The researchers concluded that participating in extended foster care may protect against residential mobility. More than 50 percent of the sample participated in extended foster care for at least 2.6 years of the 3-year eligibility period. The median number of moves while in extended foster care was one, characterized as relative housing stability

The study found that NMDs placed in Supervised Independent Living Placements (SILPs) had higher rates of residential mobility than those living in all other placement types. NMDs previously placed in group homes, those living in out-of-county placements, and those with a history of suspected commercial sexual exploitation risk or victimization also had more frequent moves. Notably, geography was found to be a factor, as NMDs in Los Angeles County experienced significantly fewer moves per year than those in other large urban counties. 

The authors note that further research is needed to understand the reasons behind residential moves in extended foster care, such as moves for jobs or education, and to identify which moves signify true instability versus life progression. The full study is available for purchase, with highlights included in the publicly available brief. To read the full brief, click HERE. 

LEARN MORE

ABOUT JBAY