The Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) project is driving systems-level change in San Diego’s response to youth homelessness. Working alongside youth-serving providers and young people with lived expertise, we are taking a closer look at how young people access housing support, how information is collected and shared, and how organizations work together to meet the needs of youth across the region.
Through focus groups, interviews, advisory boards, and surveys, young people with lived expertise are helping guide this work and are compensated for their contributions. Alongside collaborative workgroups with frontline providers, we are identifying what is working, where gaps exist, and how the system can better support youth. These insights are helping shape a more coordinated, responsive, and youth-centered system of care.
WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY
HOUSING & RESOURCE NAVIGATION
Young people and providers shared that finding and accessing support can be confusing and time-consuming.
- Housing programs can be difficult to find and navigate
- Repeating the same information to multiple providers can feel re-traumatizing
- Non-housing resources often require multiple follow-ups to access
- Providers want more opportunities to collaborate and coordinate support
DATA & INFORMATION SHARING
Both youth and providers identified opportunities to improve how information is collected, shared, and used.
- Staff want more training and support around data entry and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
- Youth want greater transparency about how their information is used
- Stronger data practices can reduce duplication and improve continuity of care
- Better information-sharing can help providers work together more effectively
YOUTH VOICE & CHOICE
Young people want a greater role in decisions that affect their lives and futures.
- Youth want more access to information about their case and available options
- Youth want clearer communication throughout the housing process
- Youth want more opportunities to advocate for themselves
- Youth want greater choice and autonomy in navigating services and supports
ACTION STEPS UNDERWAY
HOUSING & RESOURCE NAVIGATION
CARE COORDINATION MEETINGS
Bi-weekly meetings (launched in April 2025) are bringing youth providers together for networking, resource sharing, and streamlining access to housing beds. If you’d like to be involved, contact Jasmyne Sheridan at jsheridan@ymcasd.org.
REFERRAL PROCESSES
Strategies are in development to streamline access to existing housing resources that exist outside of the Coordinated Entry System.
CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION
In partnership with UC Berkeley, research is strengthening coordination between the youth homelessness response system and sectors often disconnected from it, including schools, health care, indigenous communities, and the juvenile justice system. Research is identifying youth who are not currently connected to the homelessness response system and strategies to reach them.
DATA & INFORMATION SHARING
CES UPDATES & HMIS TRAINING
In partnership with the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH), updated resources and training plans are in development to support youth-serving providers in optimizing their use of the HMIS and CES systems. Additionally, a workgroup of community providers is developing recommendations for the Youth CES system, including revising assessment questions, updating prioritization policies, and guidance on best practices.
YOUTH VOICE & CHOICE
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
A new advisory group of youth with lived experience is guiding all recommendations developed through YHSI, creating opportunities for engagement and leadership, and shaping a comprehensive compensation structure to ensure fair recognition for youth contributions.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
Whether you’re a young person with lived experience or a professional working in youth-serving systems, your perspective can help strengthen how San Diego responds to youth homelessness.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERTISE
If you’ve experienced homelessness or housing instability, your insights can help improve housing and support systems for other young people in our community.
Participation opportunities are paid, and your feedback directly informs system improvements.
FOR PROVIDERS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
If you work in youth housing, homelessness services, education, health care, workforce development, juvenile justice, or another youth-serving field, we invite you to collaborate with us as we work to strengthen the youth homelessness response system.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED:
Housing Access Workgroups
Collaborate with providers to identify barriers to housing, strengthen referral pathways, and improve how young people access housing and support services.
Youth Care Coordination Meetings (bi-weekly)
Connect with youth-serving organizations across the region, share resources, discuss housing opportunities, and support coordinated care for young people.
Cross-Sector Workgroups & Focus Groups (hosted by UC Berkeley)
Join partners from education, health care, workforce development, juvenile justice, Indigenous communities, and homeless services to improve coordination across systems that impact youth.
Learning & Practice Opportunities
Access emerging best practices, training opportunities, policy recommendations, and tools developed through the YHSI project.
