Oregon gave homeless youth $1k/month with no strings. Here's what happened
3 days ago
- #financial-aid
- #homelessness
- #youth-support
- Direct cash assistance in Oregon helped homeless youth aged 18-24 find housing, with 94% of participants reporting being housed by the end of the program.
- Participants received $1,000 monthly for two years, improving financial literacy and stability, with many leaving unsafe situations.
- The program prioritized underrepresented groups, including young parents (43%) and those with foster care or justice system experience (46%).
- Over half of participants were women, 30% male, and 18% identified as transgender or gender inclusive.
- Case managers and a one-time $3,000 enrichment fund supported participants with housing, education, and savings.
- Oregon's program, modeled after New York City's, aims to empower youth by letting them decide how to use the funds.
- A second cohort has begun, expanding to Jackson County, with $240,000 in legislative funding and a $1 million grant from Oregon Community Foundation.