Youth Lead Project | Supportive Services Only - 2027

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Homeless Youth, is requesting applications for the Youth Lead Project, a supportive services program addressing youth homelessness across Balance of State counties, with applications due November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. The office intends to award 6–8 contracts totaling approximately $645,000 in federal HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program funding plus state funds.

Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations (including Native American Tribal Organizations and 501(c)(3) entities), state or local government entities, federally recognized Tribal Governments, or public housing agencies. Applicants must be licensed to do business in Washington or commit to obtaining licensure within 30 days of selection. Organizations certifying they do not require employees to waive individual arbitration or collective action rights receive an additional 5% bonus to their final evaluation score.

The scope covers outreach and/or case management services to a minimum of 63 eligible youth and young adults ages 12–24 experiencing homelessness across 34 Balance of State counties (excluding Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties). Youth Program Specialists with lived experience of homelessness will participate in youth homelessness system improvement activities as part of grant-funded positions. Individual applications are limited to $110,000. Typical budgets allocate approximately 30% to direct assistance for eligible youth, though this allocation is not required. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for accepted deliverables and allowable expenses.

Award priorities emphasize geographic distribution to rural areas with fewer resources, equity in services for overrepresented populations including youth of color and LGBTQIA2S+ youth, and meaningful youth engagement in service delivery and organizational decision-making. The contract period runs January 1 through October 31, 2027, with options to extend for two additional one-year periods with potential funding increases.

Applications are evaluated on minimum qualification thresholds, five narrative questions worth up to 10 points each (limited to 250 words), and budget proposal reasonableness worth up to 10 points. An applicants' conference is scheduled for September 30, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific time via Zoom (attendance encouraged but not mandatory). The Q&A period runs through November 3, 2026, with answers posted by November 4. Apparent Successful Applicant announcements are scheduled for December 7, 2026.