Transitional Living for Homeless Youth

The primary goal of the Transitional Living Program (TLP) and Maternity Group Homes (MGH) is to help runaway and homeless youth and/or pregnant or parenting runaway and homeless youth between the ages of 16 to under 22 establish sustainable living an

The Transitional Living Program (TLP) and Maternity Group Homes (MGH) help runaway and homeless youth and/or pregnant or parenting runaway and homeless youth between the ages of 16 to under 22 establish sustainable living and well-being for themselves and if applicable, their dependent child(ren). Through the provision of residential stay up to 540 days (and in exceptional circumstances 635 days) and comprehensive supportive services, youth between the ages of 16 to under 22 enrolled in TLPs or MGHs will realize improvements in four core outcome areas: social and emotional well-being, permanent connections, education or employment, safe and stable housing.

Public (state and local) and private nonprofit entities (including faith-based and community organizations) and coordinated networks of such entities, are eligible to apply unless they are part of the juvenile justice system. For profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. Priority will be given to public and non-profit private agencies that have experience in providing shelter and services to youth experiencing homelessness and their young families. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards. States, localities, private entities, and coordinated networks of such entities are eligible to apply for a Transitional Living Program or Maternity Group Home award unless they are part of the law enforcement structure or the juvenile justice system. Federally recognized Indian organizations are also eligible to apply for awards as private, nonprofit agencies.

Homeless youth (ages 16 to under 22) and, if applicable, their dependent children are the beneficiaries.

Transitional Living Programs and Maternity Group Homes are required to provide youth, and when applicable the youths' dependent children, with safe, stable, and appropriate shelter, and comprehensive services designed to help young people who are homeless make a successful transition to sustainable living. Living accommodations may be host family homes, group homes, Maternity Group Homes, or "supervised apartments." (Supervised apartments are either agency-owned apartment buildings or "scattered site" apartments, which are single- occupancy apartments rented directly by young people with support from the agency.) Comprehensive services may include case management, transitional living plan, basic life skills resources, counseling services, educational advancement, job attainment skills, and physical and behavioral health care, and aftercare services. These services are designed to help youth who are homeless develop the skills necessary to make a successful transition to self-sufficient living. Costs of organized fund raising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred to raise capital or obtain contributions are unallowable. Fund raising costs for the purposes of meeting the Federal program objectives are allowable with prior written approval from the Federal awarding agency. (45 CFR § 75.442; effective on or after 10/1/2025: 2 CFR §200.442) Proposal costs are the costs of preparing bids, proposals, or applications on potential Federal and non-Federal awards or projects, including the development of data necessary to support the non-Federal entity's bids or proposals. Proposal costs of the current accounting period of both successful and unsuccessful bids and proposals normally should be treated as indirect (F & A) costs and allocated currently to all activities of the non-Federal entity. No proposal costs of past accounting periods will be allocable to the current period. (45 CFR § 75.460; effective on or after 10/1/2025: 2 CFR §200.442). Costs for the renovation of existing structures are authorized but may not exceed 15 percent of the award amount awarded. Prospective recipients are advised that entities receiving TLP funds and operating a program to distribute sterile needles or syringes for hypodermic injections of illegal drugs must account for all funds used for such programs separately from any expenditure of TLP funds.

Construction. Purchase of real property. Major renovation: Costs for renovation of existing structures may not normally exceed 15% of the federal award. Costs for acquisition is not allowable by statute.

Awards are made competitively for a project period of three years, with three 12-month budget periods.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

Please see the funding opportunity announcement for application deadlines.

Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals regarding disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.