The Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) project is driving systems-level change in San Diego’s youth homelessness response. Working alongside youth providers and young people with lived expertise, we are examining how young people connect to housing support, how data is collected and used, and how providers collaborate across the region.
Through focus groups, interviews, advisory boards, and surveys with young people (who are compensated for their time and expertise) along with collaborative workgroups with frontline providers, we are identifying both challenges and opportunities. These findings are charting a path toward stronger coordination, improved data practices, and more youth-centered approaches.
What We HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY
ACCESS TO HOUSING & RESOURCES
- Referral pathways to housing programs are often hard to find, complicated to navigate, and require lengthy assessments that can feel re-traumatizing. This is true across the entire housing system, including accessing transitional housing, shelters, permanent housing, and when utilizing the Coordinated Entry System (CES). There is a need for increased coordination across housing programs to improve access and decrease the need to repeat information to multiple providers.
- Non-housing resources face similar challenges, with unclear steps and the need for repeated follow-ups before young people can successfully access support.
- Staff often rely on personal community connections to link youth to resources and expressed a desire for more structured opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve with other providers.
- Youth and staff both want more training on available resources and how to provide youth-centered support
Data Quality & Staff Training
- Staff expressed interest in more consistent training and support to improve data entry practices, including within the HMIS system.
- Youth want clearer information about how their data is used and assurances that their sensitive information is protected.
- HMIS has significant untapped potential to support case continuity, reduce duplication, and strengthen information-sharing across programs.
Youth Voice & Autonomy
- Youth consistently expressed a desire for more control over their cases, including better access to information, clearer communication channels, and ways to advocate for themselves within the system.
ACTION STEPS UNDERWAY
ACCESS TO HOUSING & RESOURCES
CARE COORDINATION MEETINGS
Bi-weekly meetings (launched in April 2025) are bringing youth providers together for networking, resource sharing, and streamlining access to housing beds. If you’d like to be involved, contact Jasmyne Sheridan at jsheridan@ymcasd.org.
REFERRAL PROCESSES
Strategies are in development to streamline access to existing housing resources that exist outside of the Coordinated Entry System.
CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION
In partnership with UC Berkeley, research is strengthening coordination between the youth homelessness response system and sectors often disconnected from it, including schools, health care, indigenous communities, and the juvenile justice system. Research is identifying youth who are not currently connected to the homelessness response system and strategies to reach them.
DATA QUALITY & STAFF TRAINING
CES UPDATES & HMIS TRAINING
In partnership with the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH), updated resources and training plans are in development to support youth-serving providers in optimizing their use of the HMIS and CES systems. Additionally, a workgroup of community providers is developing recommendations for the Youth CES system, including revising assessment questions, updating prioritization policies, and guidance on best practices.
YOUTH VOICE & AUTONOMY
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
A new advisory group of youth with lived experience is guiding all recommendations developed through YHSI, creating opportunities for engagement and leadership, and shaping a comprehensive compensation structure to ensure fair recognition for youth contributions.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
Whether you’re a young person with lived experience or a professional working in youth housing, your perspective can help strengthen how San Diego responds to youth homelessness.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERTISE
If you’re a young person experiencing homelessness or housing instability, your insights can help improve housing and support systems for other young people in our community.
Participation opportunities are paid, and your feedback directly informs system improvements.
FOR PROVIDERS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
If you have experience working in youth housing or youth-serving systems, we welcome your collaboration as we work to strengthen the youth homelessness response system.
Ways to get involved include:
Housing Access Workgroups
Share your organization’s practices, strengthen referral pathways, and provide input on Coordinated Entry System (CES) processes.Youth Care Coordination Meetings (bi-weekly)
Connect with other youth providers, share resources, and help streamline access to housing options.Cross-Sector Workgroups & Focus Groups (hosted by UC Berkeley)
Youth-serving partners from education, health care, workforce development, Indigenous communities, juvenile justice, and homeless services are encouraged to participate and offer feedback on improving cross-system coordination.Learning & Practice Opportunities
Engage with best-practice recommendations, policy strategies, and new training opportunities released throughout the YHSI project.
