Youth housing program will increase emergency, transitional and supportive housing options

Dozens of youth with unstable housing will have new opportunities.  The city of Indianapolis has set aside more than $4 million for the new Youth and Young Adults Transitional Housing Grant Program.

The federal funding will go to organizations that help youth and young adults with emergency, transitional and supportive housing options. VOICES and 91 Place will receive the $4.2 million over the next three years and partner to provide wrap-around services for youth 13-24.

VOICES Executive Director Kia Wright said safe housing is critical for their work.

“We can be great at everything we’re doing. We can get them graduated from high school, we can get them jobs, but until they have a safe, stable, loving environment to lay their head everyday it isn't going to be sustainable,” Wright said.

The money is part of the Hogsett administration's $150 million public safety initiative that addresses root causes of violence.

The two groups will be able to open new living spaces to add room for more than 30 youth.

Nonprofit groups that work directly with youth involved in the criminal justice system can reduce recidivism. 

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said VOICES and 91 Place are key toward providing more housing for youth at risk of homelessness.

“These groups fill a gap in our community that frankly was very strained over the course of the pandemic,” Hogsett said.

91 Place has a waiting list of more than 20 youth in need of housing. This year’s Point in Time count found more youth experiencing homelessness.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.