THAP Detroit (Direct Cash Detroit)
Direct Cash Detroit (THAP Detroit) is a planned one-time cash assistance program for youth at imminent risk of homelessness, designed by Point Source Youth (PSY) in collaboration with the McGregor Foundation and the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND). As of mid-2026 the program is still in its launch phase: PSY issued an RFP (due April 30, 2026) seeking a Detroit-based nonprofit or public entity to serve as the lead implementing community-based organization (CBO), and no lead partner had been publicly announced as of this research. It is part of PSY's broader national Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP) network, funded philanthropically and modeled on Washington State's Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund. The seed listing's identification of Detroit Phoenix Center as managing organization could not be confirmed.
Youth homelessness prevention, Direct cash transfer, National THAP network, LGBTQIA+ equity commitment, Michigan
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Point Source Youth
- City
- Detroit
- State / Province
- Michigan
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 50
- Funding type
- Nonprofit, Philanthropic
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 2,500 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- Benefit details
The program is designed to provide a one-time cash payment averaging approximately $2,500 to help resolve an imminent housing crisis, based on a budget and housing plan built with a trained provider. Recipients may also access 3-6 months of optional, youth-directed supportive programming (housing stability support, financial coaching/budgeting, life skills, peer support) through the future lead CBO's network of Trained Providers. As of July 2026 the program has not yet launched or disbursed funds; a lead implementing partner had not been publicly announced. The seed-provided average of $3,700 reflects PSY's national 7-state THAP pilot (which did not include Detroit), not a confirmed Detroit-specific figure.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
The program is planned to serve approximately 50 young people ages 18-24 in Detroit who are at imminent risk of housing loss or homelessness. Eligibility, plan development, and payment amounts will be determined case-by-case with a Trained Provider once the program launches. The RFP for the lead CBO calls for a commitment to racial and LGBTQIA+ equity in service delivery, though no specific LGBTQ+-only eligibility restriction for participants was documented. Exact eligibility criteria have not yet been published since the program is pre-launch.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Geography
- US states covered
- Michigan
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Detroit
- Counties covered
- Wayne
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Point Source Youth designs and coordinates funding for the national THAP model; the selected Detroit lead CBO will be required to participate in program evaluation and share data with PSY and research partners. Johns Hopkins University conducted the research evaluation for PSY's completed national 7-state THAP pilot (Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan/Grand Rapids, New York, Oregon, Texas), finding 92% of participants stayed out of the homelessness system within 6 months; Detroit was not part of that evaluated cohort and has no published outcomes as of this research date.
Application Process
- How to apply
As of July 2026, individual youth applications are not yet open. PSY, the McGregor Foundation, and the Homeless Action Network of Detroit issued an RFP (due April 30, 2026) inviting Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits or public entities to apply as the lead implementing CBO. Once a lead CBO is selected, it will build a network of Trained Provider organizations to identify, recruit, and support eligible youth for enrollment.
- Selection process
A lead community-based organization is selected by PSY, the McGregor Foundation, and HAND via a competitive RFP process requiring experience in housing navigation, mental health counseling, case management, and/or financial empowerment, plus a commitment to youth trust and racial/LGBTQIA+ equity. That CBO will then identify and select individual youth participants through its Trained Provider network based on a budget/housing plan assessment.
