Seattle Times Jim Theofelis Op-Ed “Let’s continue on the proven path to end youth homelessness”

We still have teenagers and young adults surviving on our streets, shelter-hopping, couch-surfing and worse. However, we have strong evidence that Washington is on the right path to achieve our collective goal: Functional Zero. A community is certified as FZ when it can demonstrate over a period of months that the number of young people homeless at any time does not exceed that community’s proven record of housing at least that many people in a single month.

This model organizes counties to develop real-time data that shows who and how many young people are homeless by tracking the inflow of young people, those who are actively homeless, those who exit to safe housing and those who return to emergency shelters or other forms of homelessness. Consulting young people ensures services reflect their needs and safety.

Since OHY was established, it has functioned as a dedicated central administrative entity to coordinate the system and provide funding, technical support and accountability to providers. We now have resources in 94% of our state — every county except two. We have implemented creative housing options such as the Youth Engagement Team, a wraparound model that has been expanded across the state, and flexible funding models that can prevent or end an episode of youth homelessness within days.

We need to do more of what we know is working. During May 2023 and May 2024, nine communities across the state implemented the Homeless Prevention Diversion Fund and served 611 households, for an average of less than $2,700, with 90% housed one year later. For young people 18-24 who have entered inpatient substance use and/or mental health treatment, the Bridge Housing Program ensures they are supported upon discharge. Sending them back to emergency shelters or the streets only wastes money and opportunity while perpetuating the cycle. Additionally, we must continue to invest in and strengthen the Extended Foster Care program, supporting young people who are leaving foster care.

Private philanthropy and our state government have been remarkable in supporting this work and we ask that state lawmakers continue to fund the Homeless Prevention Diversion Fund, expand the Bridge Housing Program and strengthen the capacity of the Office of Homeless Youth to be the backbone of our statewide movement. We have data that shows we are on the right path, reducing the number of young people surviving on our streets and that we are building a cost-effective, sustainable system. Data shows between 2016-22, youth and young adult homelessness was reduced by 40% — that’s 10,000 fewer young people surviving on our streets. In just four years we have seen a 29% reduction in the number of homeless young people who exited a state system of care (child welfare, justice and or behavioral health facilities).

Urging continued investments, The Seattle Times editorial board said that this data showed it was “possible to make progress on a problem that often seems insurmountable.” And the forward progress doesn’t end there — we’re seeing a 37% increase in high school graduation rates for homeless students since 2012-13.

We still have a long way to go and this progress is fragile, especially in light of reductions in federal funding and a rise in challenges for young people. We have brought together a powerful collaboration of service providers, philanthropy, government and most important, young people who have experienced homelessness.

We ask Gov. Bob Ferguson and his administration to join us and continue forward on the proven path to Functional Zero. This is solvable. Young people and those who love them depend on us. The public is demanding it. Together, we can say to our most vulnerable young people, “Yes, come inside for safe housing, and a path forward to create your North Star.”

Jim Theofelis:  is the founder and executive director of NorthStar Advocates and chair of the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Board.