Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is an exciting initiative designed to prevent and end youth homelessness.

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a grant to CFTH, Lead Agency to The Way Home — the collective effort to prevent and end homelessness in Houston and throughout Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, Texas — for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).


The goal of the YHDP is to support The Way Home in the development and implementation of a plan to prevent and end youth homelessness. A Youth Action Board (YAB) — made up of youth & young adults with lived experience of homelessness — provides strategic direction and oversight to the activities connected to the YHDP.


View our CCP below! 

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Youth and Young Adult Resources

Youth Services Portal

YHDP has integrated a Youth Services Portal into Show the Way, our public access app designed to connect individuals with critical resources. This new portal makes it easier for youth experiencing homelessness to find and access support services in real time.


Download the app and explore the Youth Services Portal today!

Download and setup instructions
  1. Go to your app store
  2. iPhone – Open the App Store
  3.  Android – Open Google Play
  4. Search for “Show the Way”
  5. Download
  6. Open the app and get started
  7. Allow location access for nearby services
  8. Click on “Request or Find Help”


Note: You do not need to create an account to access the portal.

  • Shelters

    Covenant House Texas

    • Ages Served: 18-24 
    • Gender Served: ALL
    • Hours of operation: M-F, 2:30 PM to 10 pm
    • Location: Shelter Campus (Temporary): 3412 Beulah St., Houston, Texas 77004
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: 713-630-5601
    • Services: Drop-in services and resources

    Magnificat House Shelter 

    • Ages Served: 18-24   
    • Gender Served: ALL 
    • Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 
    • Location: Shelter Campus: 1410 Elgin, Houston Texas 77004 
    • Walk-In?  Appointments are required. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis 
    • Contact: 713.529.4231 
    • Services: A welcoming community where those needing housing, food, and mental health programs can grow in stability, productivity and independence. 

    Parks Youth Ranch (Shelter)

    • Ages:15 -18 Gender Served: ALL
    • Hours of Operation: M-F,9 am to 5 pm
    • Location: 11614 FM 361 Road, Richmond, Texas
    • Walk-In? No
    • Contact: (281) 392-5794 or intake@parksyouthranch.org
    • Services: Shelter and Mental Health Services

    Family Time Crisis & Counseling Center

    • Ages: 18+
    • Hours of Operation: 10 am to 3 pm
    • Location: 1203 S. Houston, Humble, TX 77338
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: 346-220-8205 - Website: https://familytimeccc.org
    • Services: Shelter

    Bridgeway Emergency Youth Shelter

    • Ages: 10-17
    • Location: 4501 N. Frazier, Conroe, TX 77303
    • Walk-In? No
    • Contact: Ph: (936) 890-1132 (24 hrs.)- Website: bridgeway@youthmc.org
    • Services: Shelter

    Kinder Emergency Shelter

    • Ages: 12 - 17
    • In-person: 6300 Chimney Rock Rd. Houston, TX 77081 
    • Referrals are currently accepted from:
    • TRIAD: (832) 927-6400
    • Community Youth Services: (832) 927-6300
    • YMCA International Services: (713) 339-9015
    • Texas Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400
    • Association of Family & Community Integrity (AFCI):
    • understandinggay.com or afci@afcihouston.org

    Star of Hope (Women’s Shelter)

    • Ages Served: 18-24   Gender Served: Women
    • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
    • Location: Shelter Campus (Temporary): 2575 Reed Road Houston, TX 77051
    • Walk-In?  Yes
    • Contact: 713-748-0700 
    • Services: Shelter

    Star of Hope (Men's Shelter)

    • Ages Served: 18-24   Gender Served: Men 
    • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  
    • Location: Shelter Campus (Temporary): 1811 Ruiz Houston, TX 77002  
    • Walk-In?  Yes 
    • Contact: 713-222-2220 
    • Services: Shelter

  • Transitional Living Program

    Ambassadors for Christ

    • Ages: 18 to 21 Gender Served: Male and Female
    • Hours of Operation: M-F, 9 am to 5 pm
    • Location: 1000 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77060
    • Walk-In? Appointments only
    • Contact: Auricea Robinson, arobinson@afcyouth.org, work cell 940-647-7090
    • Intake Form

    Angel Reach

    • Ages: 16 to 24 Gender Served: Male and Female
    • Hours of Operation: M-F, 9 am to 5 pm
    • Location: 900 W Dallas St, Conroe, TX 77301
    • Walk-In? No
    • Contact: info@angelreach.org; 936-202-8498
    • Intake Form

  • Basic Needs

    Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston

    • Items Available: Food/Utilities
    • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5:30 pm
    • Location: 326 South Jensen Dr., Houston, Texas 77003
    • Walk-In: No
    • Contact for information: 713-526-4611 (Main number) or Adrianna -713-237-8106

    ALLIES in Hope

    • Items Available: Food/ Resources
    • Hours of operation: M-F, 10 am – 4 pm
    • Location: 6260 Westpark Dr., Suite 100 Houston, TX 77057
    • Walk-In Yes *A valid ID is required to obtain food from Stone Soup*
    • Contact for information/services: Charleston Stoker, 713-623-6796 ext. 260, stokerC@afhouston.org

    Wesley Community Center

    • Items Available: Food/ Rental Assistance/Resources
    • Hours of operation: Food Distribution: W, F- 9 am to 12 pm, Th- 9 am to 12 pm,
    • Location: Food Distribution: 1235 Lorraine St., Houston, Texas
    • Main: 1410 Lee Street Houston, TX 77009
    • Walk-In: No
    • Contact for information/services: Guadalupe Cedillo, gcedillo@wesleyhousehouston.org, 346.327.8572

    My Brother’s Keeper

    • Items Available: Food/ Student Support/ Financial Literacy
    • Hours of Operation: Food Pantry: M, W, F, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm
    • Location: 12713 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77099
    • Walk-ins: Yes
    • Eligibility:
    1. Proof of Residency in Harris or Fort Bend County
    2. Photo ID required for the applicant and all household members
    3. Award letter if any member of the household is enrolled in any social programs (SNAP, WIC, SSI, etc.)
    • Contact: 281-498-9933

    Houston Foodbank

    • Items Available: Food/ Rental Assistance/Resources
    • Hours of operation: CURBSIDE PICK-UP HOURS: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    • Curbside Appointment: https://www.orderahead.org/
    • Location: 535 Portwall St. Houston, TX 77029
    • Walk-In: No
    • Contact for information/services/food assistance: 832-369-9390

    Tejano Center La Tiendita

    • Ages: All Ages
    • Location: 28400 Broadway, Ste 105, Houston, Texas 77017
    • Walk-In: No
    • Contact: 713-640-3749 or blanca.saldana@tejanocenter.org
    • Services: Food Assistance, Case Management, Social Services needs

    Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinic

    • Ages: 13-24
    • Various Locations and Hours of operations
    • Walk-Ins: No
    • Contact: (713) 999-6980 (Must Call Monday- Friday)
    • Teen Health Clinic Locations

    Technology/Communication Resources

  • Drop-in Centers

    Salvation Army (Young Adult Resource Center)

    • Ages:16-25 Gender Served: ALL
    • Hours of Operation: 8 am to 5 pm
    • Location: 1603 McGowen Street, Houston, Texas 77004
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: Aaron Hilliard 713-223-4513; or Kenneth Eakins, Kenneth.EakinsJr@uss.salvationarmy.org, 713-658-9205 ex. 77075-Office
    • 713-725-1863-Cell
    • Services: Drop-in Services and resources.

    Covenant House Texas

    Youth Engagement Drop-In Center

    • Ages:18-24 
    • Gender Served: ALL
    • Hours of Operation: 10 am to 2 pm
    • Location: 1110 Lovett Blvd., Houston, Texas 77004
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: 713-523-2231
    • Services: Drop-in Services and resources.

    Ambassadors for Christ

    • Ages: 15 to 22 Gender Served: Male and Female
    • Hours of Operation: M-F, 9 am to 5 pm
    • Location: 535 Seminar Dr., Houston Tx 77060.
    • Walk-In? By Appointment Only (at a temporary location)
    • Contact: Please call or email, Auricea Robinson, arobinson@afcyouth.org, work cell 940-647-7090
    • Services: Drop-In Services and resources

    Montrose Grace Place

    • Ages:13-24 Gender Served: ALL (LGBTQI+ friendly)
    • Hours of Operation: Every Monday and Thursday at 6:00 pm and every 3rd Saturday, 10 AM - 12 PM
    • Location: 2515 Waugh Dr., Houston, Texas 77006
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: 832-239-0824
    • Services: Drop-in Services and resources.

    Houston Revision

    • Ages:10-17 Gender Served: ALL
    • Hours of Operation: 1 pm to 9 pm
    • Location: 6856 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77004
    • Walk-In? Yes
    • Contact: 281-656-6615 *Please Call First*
    • Services: Food, clothing

    Tony’s Place

    • Ages: under 25, Gender Served: ALL (LGBTQIA+ friendly)

    General Hours:

    • Case Management available Monday-Friday, 8am -4pm, by appointment
    • Group offered Monday-Friday, 11am-12pm
    • Drop-in services offered Monday-Friday, 12pm-2pm

    To help ensure the safety of our clients and staff, our building entrances will be locked, and all visitors will need to knock in order to gain entry. Visitors will be required to sign in. Thank you for being part of keeping Tony's Place safe!


    Core Services:

    • Case Management - a collaborative and planned approach to ensure an individual receives the services and support they need to forward their life.
    • Provision of Basic Needs - address immediate, essential needs to survive.
    • Support - providing a safe space, acceptance, and resources.
    • Community Engagement - strategic interactions with the community and public.
    • Education – provide education around LGBTQ+ issues for the community
    • How to Get Support from Tony’s Place

    Tony’s Place offers the following services and programming to individuals who are under 25 years of age:

    • One on One case management is available Monday-Friday, 8am -4pm, by appointment only. To set an appointment, please email info@tonysplace.org or call 713-678-0733.
    • Rotating groups are offered at our drop-in center Monday through Friday from 11am to 12pm.
    • Drop-in services are available at our drop-in center Monday through Friday from 12pm to 2pm.

  • Education Opportunities & Resources

    Hall Success Academy 

    • Location:  15014 Aldine Westfield Rd, Houston, TX 77032 
    • Contact:  281-985-7446 
    • Website: https://hall.aldineisd.org/  
    • Services: Aldine ISD put education services, and credit recovery provides a quality, sequential, and cumulative art program for students.  

    Houston ISD Re-Engagement Center 

    • Location:  4400 West 18th Street | Houston, TX 77092-8501 
    • Contact:  713-556-6000 (Jermani Justice) 
    • Email: JJUSTICE@houstonisd.org  
    • Website:  www.HoustonISD.org    
    • Services: The Re-Engagement Center is a “one-stop” shop that provides counseling, direct placement services, and information leading to re-enrollment in a high school diploma or GED program. 

    Tejano Center - GRADCafé

  • Legal Services

    Beacon Law 

    • Location: 1212 Prairie St, Houston, TX 77002 
    • Contact:  713-220-9737 
    • Website: www.beaconlaw.org  
    • Email Address: info@beaconhomeless.org  
    • Services: ID restoration, Housing law including evictions, Clearing criminal history (expunctions and non-disclosures), etc.  

    South Texas College Legal Clinics  


    Lone Star Legal Aid  

    • Location: 500 Jefferson St., 17th Floor, Houston, TX 77002 
    • Contact: 713-652-0077 
    • Website: lonestarlegal.org  
    • Services: Survivors of Sexual Assault, Fair Housing, Community Advocacy, Civil Matters in Criminal, etc.  

    Houston Volunteer Lawyers  

    • Location: 1111 Bagby St Floor B 300, Houston, TX 77002   
    • Contact: (713) 228-0735 
    • Website: www.makejusticehappen.org  
    • Services: Family Stability, Housing Stability, Eviction Defense Attorney Program, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, Medical Legal, etc.  

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we have accepted, so that we may obtain the life that is destined for us.” - Houston YAB

Youth Action Board (YAB)

Through the YHDP, The Way Home has partnered with youth & young adults with lived experienced of homelessness to create a Youth Action Board (YAB). The YAB provides strategic direction and oversight to the activities connected to the YHDP. As a formal component of The Way Home, the YAB provides direct input on all issues related to youth homelessness with a near-term focus on the development of the Coordinated Community Plan.


The YAB is an authentic and equitable partner in every step of the community’s youth homeless response efforts, from planning to implementation of new projects to continuous quality improvement of the youth homeless response system.


If you are a youth or young adult with lived experience of homelessness and are interested in participating in our Youth Action Board, please contact youth programs.

The Strategy

The Coordinated Community Plan (CCP) is be the product of an intensive planning process which has created a shared vision, mission, goals, and action steps to prevent and end youth homelessness.


Communities selected to participate in YHDP are charged with creating a CCP with community stakeholders, the lead agency, technical assistance provided by HUD, but most importantly, youth with lived experience. To develop the CCP, the community undergoes an intensive planning process to create a shared vision, mission, goals, and action steps to end youth homelessness. This planning process will also influence how the YHDP funding will be used in the community.


We are excited to announce that The Way Home YHDP CCP was approved by HUD on April 26, 2022! Check out our strategy to prevent and end youth homelessness within The Way Home below.

The Way Home YHDP CCP

Funded YHDP Partners

In September 2021, The Way Home Continuum of Care (CoC), our local homeless response system, received the fourth-highest award in the country -- $10,357,612.79 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) -- for the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP). The YHDP provides our community with the funding, technical assistance, and flexibility to develop and implement a coordinated community approach to youth homelessness that matches the needs, assets, constraints, and preferences of our community stakeholders.


The goal of the YHDP is to support The Way Home in the development and implementation of a plan to prevent and end youth homelessness. A Youth Action Board (YAB) — made up of youth & young adults with lived experience of homelessness — provides strategic direction and oversight to the activities connected to the YHDP.

  • Program Descriptions

    Covenant House Texas

    • Transitional Housing: program participants will be able to stay up to 6 months rent-free while receiving intensive case management services to assist with a successful transition into permanent supportive housing. Rapid Rehousing: participants will engage in a rental payment step-down program after the first three months of participation up to a year.
    • Program Types: Transitional Living & Rapid Rehousing

    Temenos Community Development Corporation (TCDC) 

    • For young adults who are extremely vulnerable. Studio apartments with kitchens, individual bathrooms, areas for supportive services, and community space, paired with case management and peer support. 
    • Program Types: Permanent Supportive Housing

    TLC Health & Wellness 

    • Will quickly stabilize and house YYAs with dorm-styled living arrangements in scattered site apartments. Length of stay will vary based on individual needs. Services available to participants include coordinated entry intake and assessments, case management, individual and group counseling, education and employment support, and other wrap-around services. 
    • Program Types: Transitional Housing & Rapid Rehousing

    Grace Place

    • Intensive case management, a vast network of support resources, and financial assistance to meet youth and young adults (YYA) where they are, resolve their current housing crisis, and work towards stability without having to enter the homeless response system. 
    • Program Types: Diversion Supportive Services

    Spring Branch Community Health Center

    • Housing and full wrap-around services, e.g., connections to medical services, in-house mental health services, referrals for clothing, food, educational courses, and much more. Will have housing options available across the City of Houston. 
    • Program Types: Transitional Living & Rapid Rehousing

    YYA Dedicated Coordinated Access


    YYA Dedicated Street Outreach