FY2026 Youth Homelessness NOFO
What are the Youth Homelessness Grants?
The Youth Homelessness Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides competitive awards to eligible applicants under two different programs:
- Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) grants to support the establishment and implementation of a response system for youth homelessness or for improving their existing response system.
- Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to implement youth housing and supportive services projects.
For questions, please email Haley Greenwell at haley@cafth.org.
What types of programs can be funded through YHDP?
HUD will only fund the following project types under YHDP:
- Transitional Housing (TH), including Crisis Residential Housing and Shared Housing
- Supportive Services Only (SSO), including, but not limited to, projects dedicated to coordinated entry; Host Homes and Kinship Care; housing search and placement services; case management; supportive services connected with Foster Youth to Independence vouchers; or street outreach
What is E-snaps:
E-snaps is the electronic Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Application and Grants Management System that HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) uses to support the CoC Program funding application and grant awards process for the CoC Program. For more questions about how to register for e-snaps, please view our e-snaps office hours webinar, linked below.
Access e-snaps here
2026 Youth Homelessness NOFO Timeline
| Done | Date | Schedule of Tasks and Activities |
| X | 6/10/2026 | HUD released the Youth Homelessness NOFO |
| 7/6/2026 1:00 pm | Virtual Youth Homelessness NOFO Information Session (Registration Required. Register here) Session Slides: Coming Soon Session Recording: Coming Soon | |
| 7/8/2026 | Youth Homelessness NOFO Interest forms due by 12:00 pm | |
| 7/17/26 | In Person- E-Snaps Office Hours: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm- Register Here | |
| 7/20/26 | In- Person E-Snaps Office Hours: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm- Register Here | |
| 7/27/2026 | Completed application due in e-snaps. | |
| 7/30/26 – 7/31/26 | The Rank and Review Committee meets. | |
| 8/3/2026 | Projects are notified of acceptance or rejection. | |
| 8/10/2026 5:00 pm | Community Alliance for the Homeless submits the Youth Homelessness consolidated application and selected projects to HUD. |
FAQs
Below, you will find answers to questions posed by our community.
How do I obtain the application package for this NOFO?
The YHDP/YHSI application is only available through
e-snaps. You will find the Youth Homelessness NOFO information here.
How is this NOFO different from the FY26 CoC/YHDP Program Competition NOFO?
The FY26 CoC/YHDP NOFO gives the ability for existing YHDP projects to renew, replace or reallocate their grants. The Youth Homelessness NOFO that is being highlighted on this page is to apply for NEW YHDP or YHSI grants for our community.
How many projects and how much does HUD anticipate awarding?
HUD plans to award:
- 49 Communities under the YHSI NOFO with $1,000,000 in funding per award.
- 24 Communities wtih approximately 120 project awards. The minimum award for a community is $500,00 and the max is $15,000,000.
What is the match requirement?
- YHDP project recipients must meet cost sharing or matching requirements as described in the regulation at 24 CFR 578.73, except as otherwise provided in Appendix II, I.C.1.b.4 and I.C.1.b.5.
- YHSI funds do not require cost sharing or matching.
What are the goals of the Youth Homelessness Nofo?
- Prevent and End Youth Homelessness. YHSI and YHDP provide funding, regulatory flexibility, and technical assistance to help communities develop effective youth homeless response systems and make youth homelessness rare and, if it occurs, brief and non-recurring.
- Facilitate self-sufficiency. YHSI and YHDP emphasize the importance of creating interventions that help youth establish independent, sustainable lives for themselves and, if applicable, their children. According to a 2025 report from the National Runaway Safeline, homeless youth were more likely to be facing economic challenges, substance use, and human trafficking than those at imminent risk of homelessness (August 2025, Youth Homelessness Prevention Report.) HUD expects communities funded under this NOFO to design systems or create projects that prioritize youth self-sufficiency through education, employment, and behavioral health supports.
- Innovate and Expand capacity. YHSI and YHDP funds along with technical assistance will expand community capacity to serve homeless youth, pilot new models of assistance, and determine effective interventions.
- Reduce trauma and provide safety. According to the report from the National Runaway Safeline, youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness face high rates of human trafficking, and report crisis intervention needs related to emotional abuse, physical abuse, substance use, juvenile crime, and sexual abuse. It is critical that community efforts to reduce youth homelessness are equipped to address these needs through partnerships with domestic violence and trafficking agencies, local law enforcement, and substance abuse treatment organizations; coordinating or creating safe housing and service environments; and reducing unsafe public camping and drug use conditions
Who completes and submits the application?
-The application should be completed by the organization that is requesting the funds.
-Completed applications will be submitted in e-snaps to your CoC’s designated Collaborative Applicant (Community Alliance for the Homeless) for review.
-The Continuum of Care’s designated Collaborative Applicant (Community Alliance for the Homeless) will submit the final application via e-snaps to HUD.
Do we need to specify the supportive services or operating cost categories we intend to provide?
Yes, fill out all budget line items that you are requesting in detail. Once you select the type of funds you are requesting, the corresponding budget pages will open in e-snaps.
How many years can the grant terms be?
HUD will award YHDP projects for an initial term of 24-30 months. Recipients may renew YHDP project grants, except planning grants, for 1-year grant terms under the Continuum of Care Program. See Section I.C.1 of Appendix II for more information.
HUD will award YHSI project funds for a non-renewable term of 30 months.