Oregon Pilot Program Helps Homeless Youth Secure Housing as New Report Shows Strong Early Results

A recent report indicates that a pilot program made a significant contribution to Oregon youths’ ability to secure stable housing by providing cash and other supports when they are experiencing homelessness, helping them achieve independence while making inroads into the state’s growing homeless population.

Oregon Pilot Program Helping Homeless Youth Secure Housing

The Department of Human Services (ODHS) Direct Cash Transfer Plus (DCT+) pilot program, a partnership between Point Source Youth and the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP), pairs cash support with housing navigation, education on managing personal finances and other supportive services through three community partners- the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Antfarm and JBarJ Youth Services.

A recent report published by researcher Young People to the Front shows that the combination of cash with other supports in the program is effectively helping young adults (ages 14–24) exit homelessness.

The study included 63 of the pilot program’s first 120 participants who completed a series of surveys during the two years they received support. 94 percent of the 63 self-reported that they were housed at the end of the program.

YEHP Program Manager Matthew Rasmussen said, “We are very encouraged by the early results showing that Direct Cash Transfers help youth move beyond survival mode and toward building more stable, independent lives.”

Rasmussen confirmed that by creating space for emotional stability, financial skills, and rental history, the likelihood of chronic adult homelessness is significantly reduced.

The cash support helps youth overcome common barriers to stable housing, such as a lack of credit history and sufficient income, but can be used for rent, deposits, furniture, and transportation.

The report indicated that, as a result of the program:

• 72 percent of participants were working or enrolled in school.
• The number of youth earning high school diplomas increased by 8.1 percent during the program.
• Participation in financial literacy workshops increased by 23 percent.

Funding for the pilot program was provided through an interagency agreement between ODHS and Oregon Housing and Community Services.

A second group of participants in the current pilot benefited from funding YEHP received: a $1 million philanthropic donation and funding through Senate Bill 5526.

Combined, the program allows youth to change the trajectory of their lives.

Oregon Homelessness Increasing Despite Jump In Available Affordable Housing

Oregon’s recently released 2025 statewide Point-in-Time (PIT) Count for January revealed that more than 27,000 people are experiencing homelessness in the state as the overall crisis continued growing statewide, even as smaller targeted interventions show promise.

The 2025 PIT Count recorded 27,119 people experiencing homelessness across Oregon, with 16,512 people (60.9%) still unsheltered.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has responded to the PIT Count. Her office confirmed that the data shows an overall increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, even as the number of people sheltered has increased by nearly 50%.