The HHAP youth set-aside funds vastly increased the California state funding for youth experiencing homelessness (YEH). Formally supported by Cal-ICH, and later supported by the California Department of Housing and Human Development (HCD), we evaluated the deployment and impact of HHAP set-aside funding to support its implementation.
Our evaluation had four objectives:
1) to develop guidelines for the implementation of the youth set aside for local communities;
2) to assess the impact of the youth set-aside, with a focus on HHAP rounds 1 to 3;
3) to calculate the evidence-based recommended proportion that should be allocated to the youth set-aside funds; and,
4) to recruit and support a cohort of YEH or former YEH to meaningfully participate as researchers and participants in the guidance for and evaluation of the HHAP youth set-aside funds.
In order to meet our objectives, our research team employed mixed methods, informed by existing evidence, and with the input of a broad range of stakeholders, including YEH, jurisdictions and Continuums of Care (CoC), providers, policymakers, advocates, and subject matter experts.
