Avenues For Youth

Programs: During the year ended june 30, 2017, avenues for homeless youth continued to expand and strengthen its programs and services, in response to the continued growth in youth homelessness and the complexity of youth needs. By june 30, 2017, avenues was operating six shelter and transitional housing programs in the twin cities that supported more than 300 youth, including young families. While participating in an avenues program, youth no longer need to put their energy into survival. We provide shelter and all basic needs, allowing the youth to work with our staff to address other immediate issues, focus on important aspects of their development, and pursue their personal goals for education, employment, relationships, health and wellness, learning life skills and stable housing. Avenues' two congregate shelter and transitional housing programs supported 252 youth: minneapolis avenues supported 140 youth. Of those, 83 youth lived at avenues and participated fully in the program and another 57 used the overnight emergency bed at least one night. Of the 64 youth who exited during this timeframe, 79% moved to a stable living arrangement. Brooklyn avenues supported 112 young people. Of those, 43 were in the program in the program and 69 used the emergency bed for at least one night. Of the 33 youth who moved out, 70% moved to a stable housing environment. Another 40 to 50 youth who had moved out of brooklyn avenues and minneapolis avenues were supported by our after-care specialist.

avenues' three host home programs supported 24 young people during fy17: the glbt host home program supported 11 young people. Of the 4 youth who moved out of their host homes during the year, 75% moved into stable living arrangements. Youth stay an average of 10-12 months in host homes. The minneapolis and suburban host home program supported 3 youth. Of the 3 youth who moved out of their host homes during the year, 100% moved into stable living arrangements. Youth participants are from the city of minneapolis and the suburbs of hennepin county. The conneqt host home program supported 10 youth in host homes. Of the 8 youth who moved out of their host homes, 100% moved into stable living arrangements. Youth stay up to 3 months in these host homes. Another 20 lgbtq-identified youth were provided case management support on an outreach basis (they did not live in host homes) during fy17.

avenues for young families, our newest program, launched in january 2017. This rapid rehousing program supports homeless youth-led families by helping them locate an apartment in the community, providing temporary rent subsidies and wrapping comprehensive services around the entire family to give them a strong start toward independent living. By the end of fy17, the program was supporting 7 young homeless families. At full operation, this program will house and support 12 young families at a time. Funding for the rent subsidies is provided by a grant from the us department of housing and urban development.