OHY’s Youth Lead Project
OHY’s Youth Lead Project supports young adults with lived experience of homelessness in paid outreach, case management, and leadership roles to improve youth services and the homelessness response system.
Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce
Due Dates: October 7, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. PST (Applicants’ conference) | November 4, 2026 (Questions close) | November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PST (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $110,000 per request; up to $646,065 available; estimated term January 1–October 31, 2027
Summary: Supports young adults with lived experience of homelessness in providing youth outreach, case management, and leadership in homelessness-system improvement.
Key Information: Services must reach Washington’s Balance of State counties; Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties are excluded.
Description
The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) funds the Youth Lead Project through federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program awards and state funding. Developed by the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board, the project creates professional opportunities for young adults with lived experience of homelessness while embedding youth voice in the homelessness response system.
Supported positions combine direct service delivery, such as street outreach and case management, with paid participation in local and statewide leadership and decision-making. The program seeks stable housing, permanent connections, education and employment, and social-emotional well-being for youth. Grants support services only, not housing programs or ongoing rental assistance. Across funded projects, grantees must collectively serve at least 63 eligible youth and young adults.
