Mecklenburg Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP-IN)
The Mecklenburg THAP-IN is a Point Source Youth "Cash+" pilot delivering one-time, unconditional direct cash assistance to roughly 50 youth ages 18-24 at imminent risk of losing housing in Mecklenburg County, NC. Time Out Youth, a Charlotte-based LGBTQ+ youth services nonprofit, is the lead community-based organization reviewing housing plans and distributing funds. Payments average about $3,000, delivered on a debit card within 24-48 hours of housing plan approval, alongside up to three months of supportive programming. The pilot is funded by $150,000 from the Leon Levine Foundation and $50,000 from the City of Charlotte's Emergency Solutions Grant program, for a total of $200,000. It is presented by Point Source Youth in partnership with the Leon Levine Foundation, making Charlotte the fifth city nationally to host a THAP-IN chapter.
LGBTQ+ youth, Direct Cash Transfer, Youth Homelessness Prevention, Point Source Youth THAP Network, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Time Out Youth
- City
- Charlotte
- State / Province
- North Carolina
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://timeoutyouth.org/
- Phone
- +1 704-344-8335
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Rolling
- Number of recipients
- 50
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 3,000 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- Distribution Type
- Pre-paid debit card
- Benefit details
Each participant receives a one-time direct financial assistance payment averaging about $3,000 (amount varies based on an individualized housing plan), disbursed all at once or in installments per need, loaded onto a debit card within 24-48 hours of housing plan approval. Funds can be used for expenses such as rent payments or expunging an eviction from a participant's record. Participants also receive up to three months of strengths-based, youth-directed supportive programming (e.g., housing navigation, financial coaching, peer support) from Time Out Youth. Total program funding is $200,000 for the year, combining a $150,000 Leon Levine Foundation grant and $50,000 from the City of Charlotte's Emergency Solutions Grant program.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Eligible participants are young people ages 18-24 in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Pineville, Matthews, Mint Hill) who are at imminent risk of losing housing. Time Out Youth, an LGBTQ+ youth services organization, leads intake and distribution, and its broader $200K fund is aimed at helping youth facing housing insecurity and other urgent needs (e.g., car repairs, interview clothing) that can become barriers to staying housed or employed. Interested youth are directed to call or visit Time Out Youth in person to apply; formal eligibility criteria beyond age and county residency were not detailed in public sources.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Geography
- US states covered
- North Carolina
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Charlotte, Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville, Pineville, Matthews, Mint Hill
- Counties covered
- Mecklenburg County
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Application Process
- How to apply
According to Time Out Youth CEO Sarah Mikhail, anyone interested in receiving support can call the center or visit in person to apply; the THAP-IN pilot also proceeds via an individualized housing plan review process coordinated by Time Out Youth as the lead community-based organization.
- Selection process
Time Out Youth reviews housing plans and approves cash assistance amounts based on each youth's documented housing-related needs; the pilot is capped at an estimated 50 participants ages 18-24 in Mecklenburg County who are at imminent risk of losing housing. Youth consultants (Marco Lagos, Tre'Darian Daniels) and Time Out Youth staff guide distribution and program design alongside Point Source Youth.
