YOUTH HOUSING & SUPPORT
For young people ages 18-25
in San Diego County
Caring people to guide you
Resources to open new doors
Guidance toward the life you want
FIND YOUR NEXT STEP
Whether you need a safe place to stay, help finding housing, basic needs support, or someone to talk through your options with, we’re here to connect you with resources and support that fit your situation.
VISIT A YOUTH DROP-IN CENTER
Stop by our drop-in centers in Oceanside or Escondido to access support in person, including meals, housing support, basic needs, and connections to community resources.
REQUEST SUPPORT ONLINE
Complete a short form and a YMCA staff member will contact you within 48 hours to talk through your situation and connect you with support and resources.
Can’t make it to us? Our YMCA Street Outreach team can meet young people anywhere in San Diego County. If you or someone you know needs support, give us a call at (760) 908-9647 and we’ll come to you.
HOUSING NAVIGATION & SUPPORT
Having the right information and resources can make all the difference in securing housing. Our team can help you explore your options, understand the system, and access resources like emergency housing, rental assistance, and case management.
SHORT-TERM HOUSING
When immediate housing is needed, we can help connect you to short-term housing and emergency shelter options that provide safety, stability, and support during times of transition.
Transitional Housing
Our transitional housing programs provide a dignified, welcoming space where you can begin to feel at home. On-site staff offer personalized support, connecting you to resources like job opportunities, mental health services, and community-building activities.
Career, Education, and Financial Support
We’re dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and build a path to independence. Whether you’re looking for career guidance, support with continuing your education, or financial assistance to manage living expenses, we offer tailored resources and one-on-one support to help you succeed.
BUILDING BETTER SYSTEMS FOR YOUTH
Young people deserve housing systems that truly work for them. Through community partnerships and youth leadership, check out how we’re shaping better pathways to housing across San Diego County.
AT THE Y, YOU'RE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
YMCA Youth & Family Services is focused on bringing about meaningful and lasting change in youth, adults, and families by ensuring they have a safe place to live, connecting them to critical resources, building them a reliable support system, and empowering them to pursue their goals and dreams. Whether accessing mental health support, securing housing, or building community, we believe strong connections to resources, communities, and each other make all the difference.
Helpful Blog Posts
Our Advocacy Efforts
Inspiring Action and Positive Change
Young people make up 18% of California’s homeless population—the fastest growing group experiencing homelessness. Youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, pregnant or parenting youth, former foster youth, and those involved in the juvenile justice system are disproportionately impacted.
At the Y, we’re working for a future where every young person has a safe place to call home. We advocate for solutions that meet basic needs, create diverse housing options, and provide wraparound support. By centering youth voices, we ensure the systems we build work for the people they impact most.
Through partnerships with policymakers, youth service providers, and coalitions like the San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium and California Coalition for Youth, we expand housing resources and fight for funding to make services more accessible, equitable, and effective.
