Title
Authorize Competitive Solicitation for the Transitional Youth Housing Program (Districts: All)
Body
Overview
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) provide services to Transition-Age Youth (TAY) involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These services support their successful transition to independent adulthood, with a focus on advancing educational attainment, employment readiness, emotional well-being, and long-term stability. The Transitional Youth Housing (TYH) program is a County-administered transitional housing program that supports improved outcomes for TAY. Since 2012, through partnerships with nonprofit agencies, CFWB has offered various transitional housing programs for youth ages 18 to 24, providing up to 36 months of affordable housing alongside comprehensive supportive services to help prevent homelessness and promote long-term stability. Eligible participants include current and former foster youth and out-of-home juvenile justice youth, prioritizing foster youth accessing services such as housing navigation and placement support. Unlike other transitional housing programs, TYH also serves youth who re-unified with family or entered guardianship after age 16, expanding access beyond traditional foster youth eligibility. In FY 2025-26, 92 youth received services through TYH, with approximately 51 unduplicated youth participating in any given month. The current TYH contract is set to expire on June 30, 2027.
On June 8, 2021 (5), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized a competitive solicitation for Transitional Youth Housing (TYH) services. Today’s action requests the Board to authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a new competitive solicitation for the TYH program.
Today's action supports the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically, those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by expanding access to stable, affordable housing for TAY, strengthening pathways to independence, and preventing homelessness among youth transitioning from the foster care system.
Recommendation by Chief Administrative Officer:
In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue competitive negotiated procurement for the Transitional Youth Housing Program, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract(s) for the period of up to one year and up to four option years, and up to six additional months if needed, subject to the availability of funds; and to amend the contract(s) as required to reflect changes in services and funding allocations, subject to the approval of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency.
Equity Impact Statement
Research shows that Transition-Age Youth (TAY) leaving foster care continue to face significant challenges in finding stable housing, accessing education, and achieving long term well-being. Statewide data indicate that 22-30% of foster youth experience homelessness as they enter adulthood, compared to only 4% of the general population over their lifetime. Educational outcomes also differ greatly, with only 8-12% of foster youth earning a 2‑ or 4‑year degree by age 26, compared to 49% of their peers. In San Diego County, from 2019 to 2024, the number of youth experiencing homelessness increased by 130, partly due to a 49% rise in Fair Market Rent. As of 2025, approximately 31% of California transitional‑age foster youth experience homelessness, roughly one in three.
To ensure equitable access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, CFWB continues to provide transitional housing programs for youth ages 18 to 24, supporting their transition from out-of-home placements to independent living and working to prevent homelessness. The Transitional Youth Housing Program aims to ensure that all participants, including subgroups such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Native Spanish speakers, and LGBTQ youth, have equal opportunity to secure stable housing by program exit and advance toward key life goals, including educational or employment attainment, positive physical and mental wellbeing, and meaningful connections to community.
Sustainability Impact Statement
Today’s actions support the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to County services and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region. These goals will be accomplished by expanding access to stable, affordable housing and supportive services for Transition-Age Youth, strengthening pathways to independence, and preventing homelessness among youth transitioning from foster care and juvenile justice systems.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2026-28 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in estimated annual costs and revenue of $2,671,200 in Fiscal Year 2026-27 and in FY 2027-28. The funding source is Transitional Housing Program Supplemental allocation of State General Fund (SGF) and existing Realignment. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
Business Impact Statement
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Details
Advisory Board Statement
This item was presented to the Child and Family Strengthening Advisory Board as an informational item on July 17, 2026.
Background
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) provide services to Transition-Age Youth (TAY) involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These services support their successful transition to independent adulthood, with a focus on advancing educational attainment, employment readiness, emotional well-being, and long-term stability. As of 2012, through partnerships with nonprofits, CFWB provides up to 36 months of affordable housing and comprehensive support services to former San Diego County foster youth ages 18 to 24 years.
The Transitional Youth Housing (TYH) program is a type of County transitional housing program provided by CFWB to support better outcomes for former foster youth interacting with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Unlike other transitional housing programs, TYH expands program eligibility to youth who reunified with family or were in established guardianships after their 16th birthday. The goal of the TYH program is for participants to secure safe and stable housing by program graduation and make progress towards life goals, including educational attainment or employment achievement, physical and mental wellbeing, and connections to community. The TYH program distributes available beds evenly in regions, when possible and dependent on current housing availability in each community. Housing locations are near grocery stores and other necessities in support of self-sufficiency. TYH participants receive the following services and supports:
• Assistance with apartment furnishings and establishing a savings account;
• Allowance to assist with groceries or other necessities;
• Intensive and individualized case management;
• Employment and educational assistance;
• Mentoring and Crisis Intervention; and
• Aftercare/follow up case management upon program completion.
The current TYH contracts are set to expire on June 30, 2027. In Fiscal Year 2025-26, 92 youth received services and supports under the TYH program, and in any given month there are approximately 51 unduplicated youth participating in the program. In the same fiscal year, 58% of youth successfully transitioned into safe and stable housing.
In Fiscal Year 2025-26, 92 youth received services and supports through the TYH program. The ethnic distribution includes 29% Black, 2% Asian, 38% White, 12% Hispanic, 8% multi-ethnic, and 11% Unknown/Declined to Answer, reflecting the diverse communities served. During this period, approximately 51 unduplicated youth participated in any given month; 58% of youth exited the program into safe and stable housing; 78% secured employment or enrolled in school, 88% maintained stable housing for at least one quarter; and 92% independently accessed medical, dental, or mental health care. These outcomes highlight progress toward equitable service delivery while underscoring the need for continued improvement. This housing program would expand eligibility to include youth who currently do not qualify for existing housing programs and who could greatly benefit from structured support to stabilize their housing situation. By serving these young people who often have no other placement options the program aims to reduce overall youth homelessness in San Diego County. CFWB remains committed to improving evaluation tools, including youth surveys, to better capture equity‑centered outcomes and ensure youth most impacted by systemic inequities have a voice in shaping program improvements.
On June 8, 2021 (5), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized a competitive solicitation for Transitional Youth Housing (TYH) services. Today’s action requests the Board to authorize the Director of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a new competitive solicitation for the TYH program.
Linkage To The County Of San Diego Strategic Plan
Today’s action aligns with the County of San Diego 2026-2031 Strategic Plan initiatives of Sustainability (Economy and Resiliency), Equity (Health and Housing), and Community (Engagement, Quality of Life, Communications, and Partnership), as well as the regional Live Well San Diego vision. This is accomplished by expanding access to stable, affordable housing and supportive services for Transition-Age Youth (TAY), ensuring equitable opportunities to access a continuum of housing options that meet their unique and diverse needs, strengthen pathways to independence, and promote long-term stability and well-being.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment(s)
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