Beacon Housing Update

In a continuing effort to keep the congregation informed on the issue of affordable housing, the Oak Knoll Beacon Housing Committee likes to share relevant housing articles, information and events. The following article shares information on the federal Transitional Living Program.

Beacon and other organizations responding to youth homelessness depend on federal funding. One example is the Transitional Living Program (TLP), which gives grants to provide a temporary safety net and an emotional support system for young people experiencing homelessness to transition to self-sufficient living.

The Transitional Living Program benefits the 136 residents of Beacon’s youth supportive housing buildings, Nicollet Square, Prior Crossing, and 66 West. At those buildings, Beacon provides safe and stable homes for youth who have experienced homelessness and partners with skilled service providers to provide wrap-around services that transform lives.

The transitional living program was created in 1990 to provide grants across the country to help youth who have experienced homelessness. The programs funded incorporate a positive youth development framework and a trauma-informed care approach, which is a proven method and has helped approximately 98,000 youth across the country since its inception.

This funding allows the service providers and Beacon's youth supportive housing to offer individualized services tailored to each youth's circumstances, story, and personality. This care, provided at such a key moment in someone’s life, is a transformational step in helping them find health and stability and start to look forward to what they can be. 

In this uncertain time, the funding for the Transitional Living Program has not changed, and Beacon has not lost any federal funding. However, we remain vigilant and need to amplify how critical this program and others are to creating a compassionate and effective response to help those who have experienced homelessness.

For more information about Beacon Housing, visit beaconinterfaith.org.