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This year, we’ve reformed the Index to focus on unhoused youth and young adults (YYA), aligning it with their experiences and policy needs. Shifting from harm reduction to transformative change, some jurisdictions may see lower scores than before. This is a deliberate strategy, not a setback. Lower scores should motivate, not discourage, jurisdictions. They present an opportunity to adopt policies that effectively tackle and prevent youth homelessness, fostering meaningful progress.
DCT program offers meaningful supports and services
- Income
The DCT program offers robust services with incentives for participation and meaningful case management that extends after cash payments end
Young people have repeatedly reported that the availability of other services and wraparound supports are a crucial part of success for DCTs programs. However, they also emphasize that youth autonomy should be respected and all services should be optional, not conditional. Organizations running DCT program note that early pilots often underreported and underestimated service costs so it is crucial to keep these in mind when planning a DCT program. Youth report that services that address stability, such as financial coaching, employment, education support, mental health, ID/documentation assistance, and housing are the most effective, and emphasize the important of having a strong relationship with a case manager that extends beyond the end of the program. Programs should look into how they can incorporate DCT recipients into existing programmatic offerings and focus on building close relationships with local housing providers.
| Key | Metric Score | Type of Policy | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Best Practice | DCT program incentivizes participation in optional services including financial coaching, workforce/education supports, childcare, and meaningful case management. Case management and other supports are made available beyond the end of cash payments | |
| 1.0 | Moderate Score | DCT program offers services but they are less comprehensive, or there is limited staffing or capacity. Optional participation is still respected. | |
| 0.5 | Low Score | DCT program offers minimal services and/or there is unclear staffing or funding. with no incentives for participation. | |
| 0.0 | Very Low Score | There are no services offered or participation in services is a condition of receiving funds. | |
| No Data | No Data | No Data |
Suggested Citation: National Homelessness Law Center, "Youth Homelessness Index, DCT program offers meaningful supports and services" https://youthhomelessnessindex.org/maps/supports-for-dct/ (last visited March 3, 2026)
- DCT Programs for Youth
- DCT Program Permanency
- DCT Program Funding
- DCT Amount
- DCT Program Duration
- DCT Program Enrollment
- DCT Program Outreach
- DCT Program and Benefits
- DCT Program Evaluation
Explore Related Metrics
Income
Until we can finally realize an economic system that isn’t based on exploitation, access to income is a necessary part of survival for young people. Approximately 12% of children ages 14 to 17 and 20% of young adults ages 18 to 24 live in households earning or receiving less than $14,000 per year. With the average rent in United States completely out of reach for anyone below the poverty line, it is not surprising that individuals ages 18 to 25 endure the highest rates of homelessness and housing insecurity than any other age group; 1 in 10 report couch surfing or another form of homelessness at some point each year.
The United States has almost no social safety net for young adults (and a completely inadequate one for families with children or people with disabilities). There is a growing consensus, however, that the solution isn’t to create more bureaucratic programs with complicated eligibility rules but rather to directly transfer cash to the people who would benefit most and trust them to spend it on what they need.
Model Statutes:
These maps are provided as legal information only and should not be used as legal advice for your specific situation. If you need help with any of the issues described on this website, please check out the Homeless Youth Legal Network (HYLN) directory OR email or call HYLN for help finding a referral to a lawyer.Â
