Melville in the News
NY to Give Homeless Youth ‘No Strings’ Cash

New York City is launching an experimental program that will give some homeless young people no-strings-attached direct cash payments of $1,250 per month as part of a public-private partnership supported by the mayor's office.

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We have seen how hard it is for people experiencing homelessness to quickly get or maintain safe, decent, permanent housing that meets all their needs, especially with criminal or eviction records, or other major barriers. Black, Indigenous and Latinx people are over-represented in the child welfare and criminal justice systems and there is often a direct pathway to homelessness after discharge from foster care or incarceration.

In this light, the Trust focuses on supporting systemic changes at the local, state, regional and national level, as well as greater alignment across systems that are meant to help vulnerable people. Too often these systems do not coordinate with each other, work at cross purposes, or worse, create actual harm. By supporting policies that result in equitable systems, and investing in capacity-building that centers racial equity, we aim to increase the effectiveness of organizations and networks that rapidly house those at most at risk.

Recent Grants Awarded

Grant
True Colors United
A one-year general operating grant of $100,000 to True Colors United in support of their work to build and shift power towards those most impacted by the issue - LGBTQ and BIPOC youth with lived experience of homelessness.
Grant
Beyond the Bridge
A one-year project grant of $300,000 in support of the documentary, Beyond the Bridge (via Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance).