Host Homes
What is a Host Home?
Short-term host homes are a safe and affirming place for youth who are currently experiencing homelessness for any variety of reasons, including but not limited to family conflict, poverty, gender identity and sexual orientation. The goal of short-term host homes is to provide a safe, temporary, welcoming space for up to four months where the young person has time to repair their relationships with self-identified family or make decisions about other housing options with the support of a caring housing case manager. Successful implementations of short-term host homes have generally been volunteer-based programs, with stays lasting from three to four months; however, other successful implementations addressing community needs have existed in the short-term housing system. Providing short-term host homes are a cost-effective and successful model for preventing youth homelessness in a wide range of cases.
Where are Host Homes currently being used?
Host homes are currently being used in numerous cities across the United States, including: Minneapolis, MN, Baltimore, MD, Louisville, KY, Venice, CA, Los Angeles, CA, San Jose, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, San Francisco, CA, Cincinnati, OH, Rochester, NY, Seattle, WA and now Elevate North Texas is bringing host homes to North Texas. Each community uniquely implemented the host home program to fit the needs of their youth. As with any program implementation, there is a mix of messy and magical moments that define this housing program.
We need you!
Hosts in the Elevate North Texas Host Home Program are adults who open their homes to young people who are looking for short-term resources and support. We ask hosts to provide food and shelter for up to 4 months.
Our Host Home Program will succeed only because of the involvement and support from people like you and others in the community. The program and the people behind it have a deep commitment to our communities, our youth and social change – not just through the sharing of resources, but through a transformative and intimate process of sharing our homes and our lives. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about this wonderful program.
