Trust Youth Initiative
The Trust Youth Initiative is a direct cash transfer ('cash plus') program for young adults ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness, run by Point Source Youth in partnership with local homeless-youth service providers (Ali Forney Center in New York City; Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco) and evaluated by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago (with J-PAL support in San Francisco). Participants receive unconditional monthly cash payments plus a one-time lump sum, distributed via UpTogether, alongside optional youth-driven supportive services. The program has run as two distinct cohorts: an initial New York City cohort (enrolled 2022) and a larger San Francisco cohort (2023-2025). Funding has come from a mix of private philanthropy (NYC) and a public-private partnership between the City of San Francisco and Google.org (SF).
Youth Homelessness, LGBTQ+ Youth, Direct Cash Transfers, Two-Cohort Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Transitional Age Youth
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
- Inactive
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 45
- Funding type
- Government, Philanthropic, Corporate
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Currency
- USD
- Total Amount
- 40,500 USD
- Avg. Per Month
- 1,687.5 USD
- Payment frequency
- Biweekly
- How long the program lasts
- 24 months
- Distribution Type
- Direct deposit, Digital/Virtual payment card, Check
- Benefit details
NYC cohort (enrolled March 2022): 29 of 78 study participants received $1,100/month for 24 months plus a one-time $3,000 lump sum usable any time during the period (e.g., for a security deposit); administered with Ali Forney Center. SF cohort (launched August 2023): 45 participants (vs. a 40-person control group) received $1,500/month, split into two installments, for 24 months, plus a $4,500 'enrichment fund' disbursed at program end; administered with Larkin Street Youth Services. Both cohorts used UpTogether as the cash distribution partner and included optional supportive services (housing navigation, case management, financial coaching).
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Open to young adults ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability, recruited from partner shelters/drop-in centers (NYC Dept. of Homeless Services shelters and Dept. of Youth and Community Development sites; San Francisco LGBT Center and Larkin Street referrals in SF). The NYC study cohort excluded youth with untreated substance use or mental health conditions. LGBTQ+ youth were a significant focus population given partner organizations' service populations, though this was not stated as a strict eligibility rule. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment (cash) or control (services-as-usual) groups as part of an RCT evaluation.
Demographics
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 24
Housing
- Housing status
- Homeless
Health
- Health conditions
- NYC cohort excluded participants with untreated substance use or mental health conditions
Geography
- US states covered
- New York, California
- Countries covered
- United States
- Cities covered
- New York City, San Francisco
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
Participation
- Research / data sharing
- Required
- Research / participation requirements
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago (with J-PAL/Dr. Michael Cassidy support for the SF site) designed and led the independent randomized impact evaluation, comparing outcomes for cash recipients against a services-as-usual control group. Findings were collected via participant surveys at program launch and at 6, 12, 24, and 30 months post-enrollment (NYC), and via monthly survey check-ins with data collection continuing through August 2026 (SF). Preliminary NYC findings (published July 2025) found 92% of recipients felt cash helped them find safe, stable housing and 95% reported improved life circumstances; preliminary SF findings (shared January 2026) found roughly 85% of participants secured stable housing and reported improved mental well-being by program end, though full data analysis with University of Chicago partners was still ongoing at time of research.
Application Process
- How to apply
Not an open/public application; participants were identified and referred through partner homelessness service providers (NYC Department of Homeless Services shelters and Department of Youth and Community Development drop-in centers; San Francisco LGBT Center and Larkin Street Youth Services) and enrolled as part of a research study.
- Selection process
Eligible youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness were enrolled through partner agencies and randomly assigned via a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to either the Trust Youth Initiative cash-plus treatment group or a services-as-usual control group.
