On 2/16/23, community members attended a Community Information Session at Central High School to learn about the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). Marion and Polk Counties were awarded a grant in the amount of $3.7 million dollars from HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to prevent and end youth homelessness. One of the programs that is funded (in part) by this grant will be a house in rural Polk County for youth ages 14-18 who are experiencing homelessness. The house is set to open in late spring or early summer 2023. Jeremy Gordon, Polk County Commissioner, welcomed community members. Ashley Hamilton from the Mid Willamette Valley Community Action Agency shared about the programs. A panel of seven youth who have lived experience with homelessness or housing instability (four are past or present students at Central High School) shared their perspectives and answered questions.
