On June 27, 2019, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 80, the budget trailer bill that provides $8 million annually to reduce youth homelessness. This state investment is intended to expand transitional housing in response to the growing issue of homelessness among youth and young adults, particularly former foster youth: one in three youth who exit foster care will experience homelessness within 24 months.

The funding is distributed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to county child welfare agencies to help young adults who are 18 to 25 years of age secure and maintain housing, with priority given to young adults formerly in the state’s foster care or probation systems.

Some counties will utilize the funding to expand or enhance their existing Transitional Housing Placement-Plus (THP-Plus) programs. THP-Plus provides affordable housing and comprehensive supportive services for up to 24 or 36 months to former foster and probation youth ages 18 to 24 or 25.