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Youth providers urge council to restore $22M for youth homelessness as mayor trims DHS lines
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Summary
Providers serving unaccompanied youth and transitional housing warned the Committee on Human Services that mayoral cuts to youth homelessness lines (including permanent supportive housing (PSH), extended transitional housing (ETH) and front-door services) will force program closures and reduce capacity. Witnesses asked for at least $22 million in
Lede: Youth homelessness providers told the Council's Committee on Human Services on May 29 that the mayor's proposed FY 2026 budget trims to the youth homelessness continuum would jeopardize programs that connect young people to housing, jobs and health care.
Nut graf: Agencies including LAYC, Smile, Sasha Bruce, DC Action, DC Doors, and other youth housing providers said the administration proposed cuts that would reduce permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and front-door services. Witnesses asked the committee to restore funding to at least $22 million and to adopt process reforms such as mandated strategic planning and upfront grant payments to stabilize the provider network.
Body: Witnesses laid out the immediate impacts they forecasted if cuts proceed. Jorge Mabreno (DC Action) said the mayor's cuts include a $931,000 reduction to youth permanent supportive housing (a 25% cut to that line), a $445,000 cut to transitional youth housing, and $236,000 from front door services for youth outreach and drop in centers (transcript). He said across-the-board reductions could close programs serving high-needs youth.
Natalie Hernandez of the Latin American Youth Center told the committee the LAYC drop-in center served hundreds of youth this year and provides meals, hygiene, clothing and connections to housing and employment; she warned reduced funding would force service-hour and staffing reductions.
Representatives of Smile and Sasha Bruce emphasized that youth-specific, trauma-informed, identity-affirming programs (including TGNC-focused workforce programs like Project LEAP) cannot be treated as interchangeable with adult programs because youth have distinct needs and pathways to stability.
Several witnesses testified that contract execution and payment delays worsen the impact of funding shortfalls. DC Doors and other providers asked the committee to adopt BSA language requiring DHS to disburse up to 50% of grant award on contract execution and to implement multiyear awards or bridge funding during renewals. DC Action urged a Budget Support Act subtitle to require ongoing strategic planning tied to data and community input (transcript).
Ending: Providers asked the committee to (1) restore youth homelessness funding to at least $22 million in recurring funds for FY26, (2) require DHS and the Interagency Council on Homelessness to conduct ongoing, living strategic plans for youth services, and (3) fix payment delays by authorizing upfront or bridge payments. Committee staff invited providers to send detailed questions and data so the council can ask DHS targeted follow-ups next week.
