Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention Pilot (PSY Targeted Housing Assistance Program – 7-State Pilot)
The Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention Pilot — now publicly branded by Point Source Youth as the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP) 7-State Pilot — provided one-time, needs-based cash payments to youth at imminent risk of homelessness across seven U.S. communities (Atlanta GA, Austin TX, Tucson AZ, Contra Costa County CA, Lane County OR, Grand Rapids MI, and New York City NY) between May 2024 and May 2025. Point Source Youth, a national nonprofit working to prevent and end youth homelessness, ran the pilot through local community-based organization (CBO) partners, disbursing funds within 48 hours of a completed housing plan. The pilot served 345 youth households (623 people including household members/dependents) and was catalyzed in part by philanthropic funders including the Schultz Family Foundation. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health evaluated the pilot, finding 92% of participants had not entered the homelessness system within six months of receiving support.
Youth homelessness prevention, Multi-city/7-state pilot, Point Source Youth, One-time cash payment, Housing crisis diversion, Johns Hopkins evaluation, HMIS-tracked
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Point Source Youth
- City
- New York
- State / Province
- New York
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 345
- Funding type
- Philanthropic, Nonprofit, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 3,700 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- Distribution Type
- Direct deposit to bank account, Reloadable debit card, Venmo/mobile payment (per seed/prior PSY program documentation, not independently reverified in this session)
- Benefit details
Each household received a variable, needs-based one-time cash payment averaging $3,700 (about $2,048 per person), sized to an individualized budget and housing plan and disbursed within roughly 48 hours of plan completion. About 52% of planned spending went to housing, relocation, and utilities, with the rest covering transportation, groceries/toiletries, and debt/savings. Youth could optionally access wraparound supports (housing navigation, financial coaching, case management, peer mentorship) through the local CBO partner. Payment amounts and exact disbursement channel varied by site/CBO. This is a single lump-sum payment, not a recurring benefit.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants were young people at imminent risk of losing housing — including youth being asked to leave their home, living in an unsafe situation, or facing eviction — in one of seven pilot communities: Atlanta, Austin, Tucson, Contra Costa County, Lane County, Grand Rapids, and New York City. Applicants worked with a local CBO partner (Youth Empowerment Success Services, LifeWorks Austin, Youth On Their Own, RYSE, Connected Lane County, AYA Youth Collective, The Door, Henry Street Settlement) to build an individualized budget and housing plan as the basis for the cash award. No income, asset, immigration, or disability eligibility criteria were found in public program materials. Age range served was 16–27 per the official press release (site copy elsewhere cites 16–24 or 16–26). 83% of participants were BIPOC and more than half were Black or African American – a demographic outcome of the pilot, not a stated eligibility requirement.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 16
- Maximum age
- 27
Geography
- US states covered
- Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Atlanta, Austin, Tucson, Grand Rapids, New York City
- Counties covered
- Contra Costa County, Lane County
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Evaluated by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, using Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) administrative records covering all 345 pilot participants plus follow-up surveys. Results (published via a national summary and press release, timestamped April 2026) found 90% of surveyed recipients reported stable housing at 1 month, 98% had not accessed homelessness services at 3 months, and 92% had not done so at 6 months post-support.
Application Process
- How to apply
Applicants engaged with the local CBO partner serving their pilot city (Youth Empowerment Success Services in Atlanta, LifeWorks in Austin, Youth On Their Own in Tucson, RYSE in Contra Costa County, Connected Lane County, AYA Youth Collective in Grand Rapids, The Door and Henry Street Settlement in New York City). Staff worked with the young person to build a budget and housing plan, after which cash was disbursed, typically within 48 hours.
- Selection process
Local CBO staff assessed youth referred to or seeking help from the organization and prioritized those at imminent risk of losing housing (e.g., facing eviction, being asked to leave, or in an unsafe living situation), building an individualized housing plan as the basis for approving and sizing the cash payment.
