The federal Dept. of Health and Human Services Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) awards the funding through a competitive application process to support organizations and communities that are committed to ending youth homelessness.

Valley Youth House announces the award of $750,000 over a three-year period to fund the Transitional Living Program (TLP) that provides housing and supportive services to young people ages 16-21 experiencing homelessness in the Lehigh Valley. The federal Dept. of Health and Human Services Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) awards the funding through a competitive application process to support organizations and communities that are committed to ending youth homelessness. The TLP provides a community-based system of care to build skills leading to improved well-being and self-reliance.

Some estimates indicate that 9% of all high school students experience homelessness, threatening mental health, school performance and personal safety. Often they are couch surfing (staying temporarily with friends), living in an abandoned building or sleeping at 24-hour laundromats. The TLP is one component of a continuum of Valley Youth House homeless services in the Lehigh Valley that includes street outreach, emergency shelter, support for youth exiting the foster care system to prevent homelessness, supervised independent living for youth in care, and housing for young people experiencing literal homelessness. Agency-wide, more than 2,800 young people are assisted with emergency services and housing annually.