1. What YAAB Tennessee Is — and Why It Was Built for You

The Youth Action Board of Tennessee — known as YAAB — is one of the most important statewide networks you may never have heard of. It exists specifically for young adults ages 17 to 25 who have experienced homelessness or housing instability, and it operates across every major region of Tennessee. Understanding what YAAB is and what it does is the first step to knowing how it can work for you — or how you can work for it.

Lived Experience at the Center

YAAB isn’t a program designed by people who’ve never slept in a car or couch-surfed for months. It was built by young adults who have been there. Every member brings firsthand knowledge of what it feels like to navigate shelters, aging out of foster care, or trying to find stable housing while also finishing school or holding down a job. That lived experience isn’t a liability — it’s the whole point.

• Ages 17–25: YAAB specifically serves transition-age youth, the window when many young people fall through the cracks of systems designed for either children or adults.
• Eight regions covered: Memphis/Shelby, Nashville/Davidson, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga/Hamilton, Jackson/West TN, Upper Cumberland, Northeast TN, and additional Continuum of Care areas statewide.

How YAAB Fits Into the Continuum of Care

Tennessee’s Continuum of Care (CoC) is the federally recognized system that coordinates housing and homeless services in each region. YAAB members sit at the table inside these CoC structures — attending meetings, reviewing funding decisions, and making sure young people’s voices shape how millions of dollars in resources get distributed. This isn’t symbolic participation; YAAB members hold real advisory roles.

If you want to understand more about how youth homelessness is defined and tracked in Tennessee, the YAAB understanding youth homelessness page breaks it down in plain language.

2. The 8 Regional YAABs Across Tennessee — Find Yours

One of YAAB’s greatest strengths is that it isn’t a single organization based in one city — it’s a statewide network with roots in every corner of Tennessee. Whether you’re in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or a rural county in the Upper Cumberland, there is a local YAAB connected to your region’s Continuum of Care. Here’s a breakdown of all eight regions and what makes each one distinct.

West Tennessee: Memphis/Shelby and Jackson

West Tennessee is home to two active YAAB regions. The Memphis/Shelby County YAAB (TN-500) operates in one of the state’s largest urban areas, where youth homelessness intersects with poverty, limited affordable housing stock, and gaps in mental health services. The Jackson/West TN YAAB (TN-501) covers a broader rural and semi-rural footprint where transportation barriers make accessing services especially difficult.

• Memphis CoC region: TN-500
• Jackson/West TN CoC region: TN-501

Middle and East Tennessee Regions

Nashville/Davidson (TN-502) anchors Middle Tennessee, where rapid growth and rising rents have pushed more young adults into housing instability. Chattanooga/Hamilton (TN-503), Knoxville/Knox (TN-504), Upper Cumberland (TN-506), Northeast TN (TN-507), and TN-509 round out the statewide network. Each regional YAAB has its own leadership team, meeting schedule, and local priorities — but all share the same core mission of centering youth voice in housing policy.

• TN-502: Nashville/Davidson
• TN-503: Chattanooga/Hamilton
• TN-504: Knoxville/Knox
• TN-506: Upper Cumberland
• TN-507: Northeast TN
• TN-509: Additional statewide coverage

3. What YAAB Members Actually Do — Real Roles, Real Impact

A common question from young adults considering YAAB is: what would I actually be doing? The answer is more concrete — and more powerful — than most people expect. YAAB members take on three core roles that create change at both the individual and systems level.

Policy Advising and CoC Participation

YAAB members don’t just attend meetings — they shape agendas. Members regularly present to local Continuum of Care boards, provide input on funding applications, and review how programs are designed to serve transition-age youth. In Tennessee, CoC regions receive millions in federal HUD funding annually, and YAAB members help ensure that money reaches young people effectively. This is advocacy in the most direct, structural sense of the word.

Peer Navigation and Resource Connection

Beyond policy, YAAB members serve as peer navigators — connecting other young adults to housing programs, emergency shelter, employment services, education pathways, and mental health support. Because members have lived experience, they can speak to what resources actually work and which ones have gaps. This peer-to-peer model is more effective than traditional outreach for reaching young adults who distrust formal systems.

• Housing and shelter referrals
• Employment and job training connections
• GED and education pathway guidance
• Mental health and crisis support resources
• Benefits enrollment assistance

Leadership Development and Training

YAAB invests in its members. Participants receive training in public speaking, policy analysis, data literacy, and advocacy strategy. Many YAAB alumni go on to work in social services, nonprofit leadership, or government — carrying their lived-experience perspective into careers that reshape systems from the inside. Joining YAAB isn’t just about giving back; it’s a genuine professional and personal development opportunity.

4. Housing Resources YAAB Connects You To Across Tennessee

One of the most immediate ways YAAB creates value for young adults across Tennessee is by connecting peers to housing resources they didn’t know existed. The landscape of housing assistance is complex — different programs have different eligibility rules, funding streams, and application processes. YAAB members help cut through that complexity.

Emergency and Transitional Housing Options

For young adults in immediate crisis, YAAB members and partners can connect you to emergency shelter programs, rapid rehousing assistance, and transitional housing specifically designed for transition-age youth (TAY). In Tennessee, TAY-specific housing programs exist in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, with rural options expanding through CoC planning. Rapid rehousing programs can move a young person from homelessness into a stable unit in as little as 30 to 60 days when funding is available.

Permanent Supportive Housing and Rental Assistance

For young adults with longer-term needs — particularly those aging out of foster care or with disabilities — Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) provides stable housing combined with wraparound services. Tennessee’s CoC regions administer HUD-funded vouchers, and YAAB advocates for a fair share of these to go to youth. Additionally, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) administers rental assistance programs that YAAB members can help peers navigate.

• HUD Continuum of Care grants: Fund transitional and permanent housing
• THDA Emergency Rental Assistance: Available in qualifying situations
• Youth-specific rapid rehousing: Prioritized in most Tennessee CoC regions

5. Education and Employment Pathways YAAB Champions

Stable housing and stable income are deeply connected. That’s why YAAB doesn’t just focus on where young adults sleep — it also advocates for the education and employment opportunities that make long-term stability possible. Here are the key pathways YAAB supports and promotes across Tennessee.

GED, HiSET, and Alternative Education Routes

For young adults who left school during a period of housing instability, getting a diploma or equivalency credential is often the first step toward economic stability. Tennessee offers the HiSET exam as its high school equivalency test, and preparation programs are available through Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campuses, adult education centers, and community organizations statewide. YAAB members advocate for these programs to be more accessible — including flexible scheduling, transportation support, and childcare — for young adults who face multiple barriers.

Job Training, Apprenticeships, and Employment Programs

Employment is one of the top needs for transition-age youth in Tennessee. YAAB connects peers to programs like Tennessee’s registered apprenticeships, American Job Centers (AJCs) in every major region, and youth-specific workforce programs funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Young adults ages 16 to 24 who are out of school and out of work may qualify for WIOA Youth services, which can include paid work experience, occupational skills training, and mentorship — at no cost.

• WIOA Youth Program: Free job training and work experience for eligible 16–24 year olds
• American Job Centers: Located in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and more
• Tennessee Registered Apprenticeships: Earn while you learn in skilled trades

6. Mental Health and Wellness: What YAAB Advocates For

Mental health is not separate from housing stability — it’s woven into it. YAAB recognizes that young adults who have experienced homelessness often carry significant trauma, and that addressing mental health is essential to lasting stability. Here’s what YAAB is advocating for and what’s available to you right now.

The Mental Health Gap for Transition-Age Youth

Research consistently shows that young adults experiencing homelessness face disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use challenges — often as a result of trauma, not a cause of homelessness. Yet mental health services for transition-age youth in Tennessee remain underfunded and hard to access, particularly in rural regions. YAAB members raise this issue directly in CoC meetings and state-level advocacy, pushing for trauma-informed, youth-centered mental health services that don’t require insurance or a permanent address to access.

Crisis Resources Available Right Now in Tennessee

If you or someone you know is in mental health crisis right now, these resources are available 24/7:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 — available in English and Spanish
• Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line: 1-855-CRISIS-1 (1-855-274-7471)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

YAAB advocates for these resources to be better integrated into housing programs so that young adults get mental health support alongside housing — not as a separate, harder-to-reach system.

7. Aging Out of Foster Care in Tennessee — YAAB Has Your Back

Aging out of foster care is one of the most abrupt and under-supported transitions a young person can face. One day you have a placement; the next, you’re expected to navigate housing, employment, health care, and daily life largely on your own. YAAB specifically advocates for young adults in this situation — and connects them to the rights and resources they’re entitled to.

The Foster Care Cliff and What It Means

In Tennessee, young adults who were in foster care can receive extended services through age 21 under the state’s extended foster care program (Tennessee’s ‘Fostering Success’ initiative). However, many young people don’t know they qualify, or they age out without a plan in place. Research from the National Foster Youth Institute estimates that approximately 20,000 young people age out of foster care nationally each year, and a significant percentage experience homelessness within 12 to 18 months of aging out. Tennessee’s numbers mirror this national trend.

Rights and Resources for Foster Care Alumni

If you aged out of foster care in Tennessee, you have access to specific rights and resources that many young adults don’t know about:

• Extended Medicaid: Former foster youth in Tennessee qualify for Medicaid up to age 26 at no cost
• Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs): Up to $5,000 per year for post-secondary education or vocational training
• Tennessee’s Chafee Program: Life skills, housing support, and financial assistance for eligible youth
• Priority CoC housing: Many Tennessee CoC regions prioritize foster care alumni for youth housing programs

YAAB members who have aged out of foster care are among the most powerful advocates in the network — because they’ve lived it.

YAAB Tennessee: Regional Snapshot at a Glance

Each of Tennessee's eight YAAB regions serves a distinct geographic area with its own CoC designation and local priorities. Use this table to find the region closest to you.

8. Know Your Rights: Key Protections for Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Knowledge is power — especially when you’re navigating systems that weren’t always designed with young adults in mind. YAAB believes every young person should know the legal protections available to them, whether they’re in school, renting an apartment, or dealing with an eviction threat.

The McKinney-Vento Act and What It Covers

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of young people experiencing homelessness. Under McKinney-Vento, students who are homeless — including those staying in shelters, motels, cars, or doubled up with others — have the right to immediate school enrollment, transportation to their school of origin, and access to free meals and other services. For young adults still in high school, this law is a critical protection. YAAB advocates for schools across Tennessee to fully implement McKinney-Vento and train staff to identify and support students in housing instability.

Tenant Rights and Protections in Tennessee

Tennessee’s landlord-tenant law provides baseline protections for renters, including requirements for habitable conditions, proper notice before eviction, and return of security deposits. However, Tennessee is one of the least tenant-protective states in the country — there is no statewide rent control, and eviction timelines can be very fast (as little as 14 days’ notice in some cases). YAAB members learn about tenant rights so they can help peers understand what landlords can and cannot legally do.

• Notice required before eviction: Minimum 14 days for non-payment in Tennessee
• Security deposit return: Must be returned within 30 days of move-out
• Habitability standard: Landlords must maintain safe, livable conditions
• Legal aid resources: Tennessee’s legal aid organizations provide free help to low-income renters

9. How YAAB Advocates for Policy Change at the State Level

Changing systems requires more than individual support — it requires organized, sustained advocacy at the policy level. YAAB is one of the few organizations in Tennessee where young adults with lived experience of homelessness are directly shaping the laws and funding decisions that affect their peers. Here’s how that advocacy works in practice.

Legislative Advocacy and Statehouse Engagement

YAAB members don’t just work at the local level — they engage with Tennessee state government directly. Members have testified before state legislative committees, met with legislators’ offices, and participated in advocacy days at the Tennessee Statehouse in Nashville. This direct engagement helps policymakers understand that youth homelessness is not an abstract issue — it affects real young adults from their own districts, from Memphis to Kingsport.

YAAB’s advocacy priorities have included expanding affordable housing funding, increasing access to mental health services for transition-age youth, strengthening protections for youth aging out of foster care, and ensuring that CoC funding reaches youth-specific programs rather than being absorbed into adult-focused systems.

Data-Driven Advocacy: Point-in-Time Count and Beyond

One of YAAB’s most important advocacy tools is data. The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count — a federally mandated one-night count of people experiencing homelessness — provides the baseline data that drives CoC funding decisions. YAAB members are trained to participate in and promote PIT counts in their regions, and they advocate for youth-specific counting methodologies that capture the hidden homelessness (couch-surfing, doubling up) that traditional counts miss. In 2023, Tennessee’s PIT counts identified thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness statewide, with youth representing a significant and often undercounted share.

• PIT Count 2023 (Tennessee statewide): Thousands counted; youth share often undercounted due to hidden homelessness
• YAAB role: Train members to participate, advocate for youth-specific methodology

10. How to Join YAAB Tennessee and Get Involved Today

Everything YAAB does points toward one goal: making sure young adults across Tennessee have the power, the resources, and the community to build stable, self-determined lives. If you’re between 17 and 25 and you’ve experienced housing instability, YAAB was built for you. Here’s exactly how to get connected.

Who Can Join and What to Expect

YAAB membership is open to young adults ages 17 to 25 who have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability — including couch-surfing, staying in shelters, living in cars, or any other situation where housing wasn’t stable. You don’t need a resume, a degree, or any prior advocacy experience. What YAAB values is your perspective, your story, and your willingness to show up for your peers. New members receive orientation, training, and mentorship from more experienced YAAB members.

Ready to take the next step? Join YAAB Tennessee here and connect with the regional board nearest to you.

For Service Providers and CoC Partners

If you’re a case manager, CoC coordinator, or service provider working with transition-age youth in Tennessee, YAAB wants to partner with you. Referring young adults to YAAB is one of the most empowering things you can do for a client — it gives them a seat at the table where decisions about their lives are made. YAAB also offers training and consultation for organizations that want to adopt more youth-informed approaches to service delivery.

• Refer clients ages 17–25 with lived experience of homelessness
• Invite YAAB members to present at CoC meetings
• Partner on Point-in-Time Count outreach
• Request youth-informed program design consultation

Stay Connected: Events, Blog, and Regional Contacts

YAAB stays active year-round with regional meetings, statewide convenings, advocacy training days, and community events. The best way to stay informed is to follow YAAB’s latest news and resources on the YAAB Tennessee blog, where members share updates, policy wins, personal stories, and resource guides. You can also check the events calendar for upcoming meetings and advocacy opportunities in your region. Whether you’re in Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, or anywhere in between — there’s a YAAB community waiting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the Youth Action Board in Tennessee?

Any young adult ages 17 to 25 who has lived experience of homelessness or housing instability — including couch-surfing, shelter stays, or any unstable housing situation — can join YAAB Tennessee. No prior advocacy experience is required. Visit yaabtn.org/join/ to get started.

What is the Continuum of Care and how does YAAB fit into it?

The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a federally recognized system that coordinates housing and homeless services in each region of Tennessee. YAAB members participate directly in CoC meetings and advisory processes, ensuring that young adults with lived experience have a voice in how housing resources are allocated and programs are designed.

Does YAAB Tennessee help with finding housing?

YAAB members serve as peer navigators who can connect young adults to housing resources including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing programs, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. YAAB itself is an advocacy and advisory network, and it works alongside local CoC partners and service providers to make housing connections.

What rights do I have if I aged out of foster care in Tennessee?

Foster care alumni in Tennessee can qualify for extended Medicaid up to age 26 at no cost, Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) worth up to $5,000 per year, and services through Tennessee's Chafee Program. Many CoC regions also prioritize foster care alumni for youth housing programs.

How is YAAB different from a traditional homeless services organization?

YAAB is a youth-led advisory and advocacy network, not a direct service provider. What makes it unique is that members are young adults with lived experience of homelessness who actively shape policies, programs, and funding decisions — rather than simply receiving services. YAAB works alongside service providers to make systems better for everyone.

Where can I find upcoming YAAB Tennessee events and meetings?

You can find upcoming YAAB events, regional meetings, and advocacy training days on the YAAB Tennessee events calendar at yaabtn.org/calendar-events/. The YAAB blog at yaabtn.org/blog/ also publishes regular updates on news, policy wins, and opportunities to get involved.