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Youth Economic Justice and Housing Coalition
Too many young people in the District of Columbia experience homelessness without a parent or guardian — and go to sleep without the safety, stability and support of a family or a home. And, now the pandemic has further complicated their path to stability.
Who We Are
The Youth Economic Justice and Housing Coalition (Youth Justice Coalition) advocates with District youth, families, and the organizations that serve them for policies, funding, and programs designed to expand access to quality support and services that prevent and end economic and housing instability for children, youth, and families
Co-chaired by DC Action, Homeless Children's Playtime Project and the Wanda Alston Foundation.
Our vision
The vision of the coalition is to prevent and eradicate youth and family homelessness in the District of Columbia.
Our mission
The mission of the coalition is to advocate for funding, policies, and programs that prevent youth homelessness and improve the outcomes and experiences of youth experiencing homelessness from birth to early adulthood.
Values
Fighting for a system with equity at its core
We will be successful when we lead with our values, stand in our convictions, and engage in innovative strategies. We envision DC as a city where equity is centered in all systems that affect youth and families impacted by homelessness.
Ending Youth Homelessness
We believe in investing in systems and programs that disrupt the cycle of homelessness for children and youth, whether they are accompanied by family or experiencing homelessness on their own.
Racial Justice
We believe that structural racism is at the root of disparities facing Black and Brown families in the District. Creating equitable and antiracist policies and systems is central to the coalition’s work.
Economic Mobility
We believe that racist systems and policies, and systems tailored to create an underclass have historically–and continue to–create barriers to economic mobility. It is necessary to remove obstacles and dismantle oppressive systems in order to end the cycle of homelessness and provide opportunities for economic advancement.
True Diversity
We believe in the power of many different voices. We strengthen our work by including racial, economic, gender, generational, experiential, and professional diversity in our coalition.
Real Ownership
We believe that people closest to the pain should be closest to the power, and should be instrumental in driving and informing the work.
Leverage Strengths
We believe we are all experts in our own areas. We honor and build on the strengths, knowledge, and skills of our communities.
Get Involved
Email Rachel White at rwhite@dckids.org to learn more
Featured Resources
Letter to Mayor Bowser on Coalition's FY23 Budget Requests
"Our priorities center around providing stable, high-quality services, filling system gaps by investing in workforce development opportunities and behavioral health services for youth experiencing homelessness."
The District’s FY22 Budget closes out with mixed results for youth experiencing homelessness. Due to our collective advocacy, the DC Council found funds to restore nearly $307,000 in cuts to shelter and emergency services, rapid rehousing, and extended transitional housing--all essential services that get and keep young people off the streets.
Letter to Mayor Bowser on Coalition's FY22 Budget Priorities
"While much progress has been made, we still have a long way to go to ensure all our young people have safe housing and the support they need to make the successful transition to adulthood. Today we are writing to share our FY22 budget priorities, priorities we know will further our shared vision of a city where no young person lacks a safe and stable place to call home."
2020 Coordinated Community Plan
Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) first youth specific strategic plan to make youth homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Solid Foundations DC: Comprehensive Plan to End Youth Homelessness
Solid Foundations DC is the District's first ever data-driven plan focused on the needs of unaccompanied youth. The plan will serve as a roadmap for building an effective system of care for unaccompanied youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2022.