Homeless youth program to expand in 4 Western Pa. counties
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A program to alleviate youth homelessness in four Western Pennsylvania counties is set to expand now that it has new funding.
Valley Youth House, an agency based in Bethlehem, Pa., recently received $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to build on the host home model it launched in the region this year.
The money from the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act will allow Valley Youth House to provide more temporary shelter to homeless youth in Armstrong, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties, said Kathi Krablin, director of grants and foundations.
The funding, which became available Oct. 1, will cover three years at $200,000 a year, she said.
“What this does is allow us to work with younger youth in short-term housing,” Krablin said.
The Bridge2Home Host Home Program opened in March and provides housing to young people ages 16-20 who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness. The housing is provided by host families who are vetted and trained by Valley Youth House.
So far, three host homes — one in Armstrong County and two in Westmoreland County — have been recruited and begun to host young people, said Carol Dunlap, host home coordinator.
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“Two of the three are with the host family and will be there indefinitely. The other match was a transitional match where the young lady was there for a short period of time,” Dunlap said, noting that more host homes are needed.
While the current Bridge2Home program allows for indefinite stays with host families, the expanded version will focus on shorter stays — up to 21 days — and youth under the age of 18, she said.
“This new grant establishes more of an emergency youth sheltering program but still uses the host home model. Staff will assist the youth in either reconciling with their family or finding a more long-term place to stay,” Dunlap said.
Most of the referrals received so far — seven in seven months of operation — are females ages 16-18 who come from dysfunctional families. “They’ve either been kicked out or don’t want to be involved with the (foster care) system,” she said.
The Bridge2Home program has been receiving referrals from a variety of sources, including school districts, faith-based and civic organizations, and county children and youth services agencies, she said.
Once a match is made, the host family can receive a stipend of up to $400 a month, case management services and crisis support from Valley Youth House, Dunlap said.
Dunlap, a former investigator with the Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau, works with another staff member known as a housing stability coach. The expanded program will require another staff member and is expected to start up in January.
To get a more accurate estimate of the number of homeless youth in the four counties, the program plans a point-in-time count in April. One estimate from 2018 counted 409 homeless youth in Westmoreland County alone, Dunlap said.
“We believe it’s double that,” she said. “We are trying to capture and get a better idea of what the youth count is.”
Many homeless youth are “invisible” because they are couch surfing, defined as living transiently with extended family or other adults, Dunlap said.
To make a referral or volunteer as a host family, contact Dunlap at cdunlap@valleyyouthhouse.org or 412-742-7474.