Statewide Projects & Initiatives

See what youth are building across Tennessee — and how it’s making a difference.

Active YHSI Initiatives

The Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) initiative supports statewide coordination of youth voice and systems-level change. Current focus areas: strengthening YAAB representation across all CoCs, ensuring youth voice in Coordinated Entry and system design, and developing statewide training and advocacy infrastructure for youth leaders.

Bluff View district, Chattanooga

TN-500: Chattanooga/Southeast TN

Awarded YHDP funding with $2,285,501 in services. Now in its second year, the program contributed to a 35% decrease in youth homelessness (81→53 youth). Partnership for Families, Children and Adults provides transitional housing and supervised independent living for youth ages 14–24.

TN-501: Memphis/Shelby County

YHDP community with $3.8 million in funding, brought in with significant YAAB input. The Memphis YAB partnered with organizations like OUTMemphis for community engagement and developed a Coordinated Community Plan centering youth voice.

Tennessee region photo

TN-507: Jackson/West Tennessee

YHDP community with a growing housing navigator team including three staff specifically focused on youth. YAB members participated in the 2024 PIT Count and identified twice as many youth as expected. The team covers every county in the region through geographic-based assignments.

Research, Surveys & Upcoming Work

The Statewide YAAB supports ongoing efforts including annual Point-in-Time Counts, youth-led system assessments, and Coordinated Entry feedback. Check the Calendar & Events page for upcoming conferences and statewide events.

Downtown Cookeville