Youth Lead Project, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

About this funding opportunity

Youth Lead Project, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, Washington State Department of Commerce

Youth Lead Project, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

Opportunity Type:Request for Application (RFA)

Close Date:August 18, 2026

Important Dates: 6/23/26 - 8/4/26 at 5pm - Question and Answer Period

6/30/26 at 2pm - Applicants' Conference

8/18/26 by 5pm - Application due date

9/22/26 - Announce apparent successful applicants

The Office of Homeless Youth is making approximately $775,000 in grant funding available for the Youth Lead Projects in the Balance of State Continuum of Care through a federal award for HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).

The Youth Lead Project was developed by the BoS YHDP Youth Action Board, known as the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board, to support professional opportunities for young adults with lived experience of homelessness. Grant funds support these staff positions to address youth homelessness through both direct service delivery activities such as street outreach and case management and leadership activities in local and statewide systems.

Grant funds must also be used to support direct services to youth and young adults, ages 12-24, who meet criteria for Category 1, 2, or 4 of the HUD definition of homelessness at enrollment. Youth Lead Project grants are for supportive services only and do not include housing programs or ongoing rental assistance.

Applications must be submitted through Smartsheet forms as outlined in Request for Applications, Youth Lead Project (PDF), which provides complete details of this funding opportunity. Register for the Youth Lead Project Applicants’ Conference. Associated Files

Youth Lead Project Request for Applications

Youth Lead Project RFA - One pager

YHDP Youth Lead Project RFA Materials Contact

Emily Abell, RFA Coordinator at youthhomeless@commerce.wa.gov

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Topic areas: Social Innovation and Community Development, Workforce Development, Housing and Community Development.

Funding amount

This grant provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are due Aug 18, 2026. Confirm the exact closing time on the official program page before applying.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Youth Lead Project, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program is administered by Washington State Department of Commerce (WA Commerce), listed via Washington State Department of Commerce.