THAP Grand Rapids
AYA Youth Collective, a Grand Rapids nonprofit serving youth ages 14-24 facing homelessness, partners with national nonprofit Point Source Youth to deliver the Targeted Housing Assistance Program (THAP), a one-time cash payment paired with supportive services to prevent youth homelessness. Up to 50 young people ages 18-24 experiencing a housing crisis in the Grand Rapids/Kent County area are eligible for the current cohort, which began recruiting in March 2026. The program is funded and coordinated by Point Source Youth and evaluated by Johns Hopkins University as part of a broader multi-state THAP network.
Youth homelessness prevention, Direct cash transfer, Point Source Youth THAP network, Michigan
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- AYA Youth Collective
- City
- Grand Rapids
- State / Province
- Michigan
- Country
- United States
Contact
- Website
- https://ayayouth.org/
- Phone
- +1 616 406 3945
- info@ayayouth.org
- Social media links
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 50
- Funding type
- Nonprofit, Philanthropic, Research Pilot
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 2,500 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 833.33 USD
- Payment frequency
- Lump Sum
- How long the program lasts
- 3 months
- Distribution Type
- Re-loadable debit card
- Benefit details
Eligible youth receive a one-time cash payment (Grand Rapids average approximately $2,500 per Point Source Youth's program page) sized to an individualized housing plan developed with AYA staff. The payment is paired with 1-3 months of youth-directed supportive services such as housing navigation, financial coaching, and peer support. Funds are intended to resolve an immediate housing crisis such as back rent, deposits, relocation costs, or utilities.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Open to young people ages 18-24 in the Grand Rapids/Kent County, Michigan area who are experiencing a housing crisis, including street homelessness and hidden homelessness such as couch-surfing. Applicants are recruited and enrolled through AYA Youth Collective in coordination with youth consultants. The current cohort targets 50 participants.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Geography
- US states covered
- Michigan
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- Grand Rapids
- Counties covered
- Kent County
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Point Source Youth and AYA Youth Collective partner with Johns Hopkins University to collect survey data and conduct one-month and six-month follow-up reviews evaluating the program's effectiveness at keeping youth stably housed. Findings feed into Point Source Youth's national THAP evaluation series covering all network sites (Arizona, California, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, plus newer expansion sites).
Application Process
- How to apply
Applicants are recruited by AYA Youth Collective staff and youth consultants (recruiting began March 2026); interested youth work with AYA to develop an individualized housing plan as part of enrollment. No standalone public application portal was identified.
- Selection process
AYA Youth Collective, in coordination with two youth consultants, recruits and enrolls youth ages 18-24 experiencing a housing crisis in the Grand Rapids/Kent County area, up to a target of 50 participants in the current cohort. Specific scoring or prioritization criteria beyond age and housing crisis status were not publicly detailed.
