St. Vincent's lands $827K grant

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho has been selected as a subrecipient of an $827,000 grant through the federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program to serve youth and young adults experiencing homelessness across North Idaho. 

“This investment allows us to build a youth-centered system that listens to young people and walks alongside them toward independence,” said Scott Ferguson, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.

The YHDP is a program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designed to reduce and ultimately end youth homelessness. 

In October 2024, the Idaho Housing and Finance Association announced it had received a $3.8 million YHDP award from HUD.

IHFA conducted a competitive process to select local providers to implement youth-driven housing solutions. Five state-wide projects received funding. 

A cornerstone of the program is authentic youth leadership throughout planning, project design, implementation, and evaluation. Young people with lived experience played a direct role in identifying the most effective housing models for Idaho communities, the release said.

Through the $827,000 award, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho plans to expand housing stability options.

This model provides access to safe transitional housing rental assistance, case management and supportive services, education and employment pathways, and long-term housing placement assistance, the release said.

The goal is not only to provide shelter, but also to create a pathway to stability, self-sufficiency, and hope. 

“We are deeply grateful to Idaho Housing and HUD for this opportunity to strengthen our response to youth homelessness in North Idaho," Ferguson said.