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43 Chapter 1: Introduction to the Oregon Programs Eligibility Notebook • Section 1: Intent and overview of programs (07/2026) Youth Experiencing Homelessness Programs The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP) is responsible for coordinating statewide planning for delivery of services to youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) and their families. YEHP serves youth and young adults aged 14-24 for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment with a parent or legal guardian and meets a recognized definition of homelessness. YEHP is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults facing homelessness in Oregon with a focus on serving Indigenous, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. YEHP is currently working on new and ongoing initiatives through grants, funding community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide a range of services to YEH. These services include prevention, crisis housing, medium term housing, host homes, in addition to miscellaneous supports such as behavioral health, substance use, and culturally specific services. YEHP also leads and implements standalone projects such as a Statewide Youth Action Board (YAB) to uplift and center voices of youth with lived experience of homelessness, as well as Tuition and Fee Waivers (TFW) and Direct Cash Transfer (DCT+) programming. YEHP and partnering organizations are continuing the Direct Cash Transfer Plus (DCT+) pilot program for young adults experiencing homelessness in Oregon aged 18-24. Currently, youth aged 14-17 are not eligible for DCT+. DCT+ is intended to help young adults establish housing stability, independent living, and well-being through direct financial assistance payments and supportive programming options. Starting in September of 2025, YEHP will expand the Direct Cash Transfer Plus (DCT+) pilot program for young adults experiencing homelessness in Oregon, aged 18-24. This pilot is called DCT 2.0. YEHP determined five Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to continue in the pilot of providing supportive services to participants. These CBOs are located in Metro Multnomah County, Rural Clackamas County, Suburban Deschutes County and Jackson County. YEHP Started in February 2023 the DCT 1.0 Pilot. This Pilot wrapped in March of 2025. YEHP worked with three CBOs to provide supportive services to participants during the pilot, located in Metro Multnomah County, Rural Clackamas County, and Suburban Deschutes County. September 15, 2025, YEHP will began making payments to 120 young adults. Each young adult will receive $1,000 payments monthly through August 2027, plus a $3,000 one-time enrichment fund payment that young adults can withdraw when they choose. YEHP currently makes payments via direct deposit, check, and funds added to EBT cards. YEHP worked with internal ODHS experts to determine benefit impacts to young adults in DCT+. It has been determined that YEHP DCT+ payments are excluded for TANF, TA-DVS, MAGI, and OSIPM. SNAP has determined these payments as countable income. The Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program website can be reached at our internal OWL Page here: OWL Page - YEHP Program The Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program website can be reached here: YEHP Website