HHS to Award $4 Million Through Street Outreach Program (SOP) to Combat Nationwide Youth Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is now accepting applications from public and private nonprofit organizations for their Street Outreach Program (SOP). SOP is aimed at improving the nationwide effort to prevent sexual abuse of homeless youth. Awards will be granted to up to 31 organizations, with each award amount being between $90,000 and $150,000 per budget year.

There is growing concern in our nation for the safety of runaway and homeless youth living on the streets, as they are at a significant risk of being subjected to sexual abuse, exploitation, and severe forms of trafficking. According to estimates by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 550,000 young people are without stable housing for more than a week at a time. Street youth are often victims of violence, vulnerable to developing serious mental health problems, and may be sexually exploited in exchange for basic needs. Community outreach programs are being called upon to combat the threat of sex trafficking by providing services to help youth transition off of the streets.

The SOP’s primary goal is to work closely with organizations who focus on street-based intervention and relationship building with youth experiencing unstable housing who have been, or are at risk of being, sexually abused. The FY 2023 grant will be awarded to projects that include services dedicated to promoting the well-being, safety, and independence of these youth. 

While several awards will be granted, a cause of this significance will bring forth a highly competitive application process. Awards will go towards projects spanning three years, proving longevity as well as a significant impact to the at-risk community. To ensure your project has the highest chance of being recognized, your application narrative will need detailed research, statistics, and facts. At USFCR, our Grants Team has the skillset and research background to work with you to create a strong and captivating project proposal.

Our Grants Team offers a range of services, including Grant Consulting, Grant Writing, and Grant Application Review & Submission, which can be tailored to meet your organization’s specific needs. We understand the stress of working through federal grant applications and are passionate about working with organizations that are ready to showcase their project's ability to make a lasting impact on their community. 

The Grant Writing Team is now accepting potential applicants for the HHS FY 2023 Street Outreach Program through May 22, 2023. 

1 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Fact Sheet, Accessed May 4, 2023, from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/fact-sheet/runaway-and-homeless-youth-program-fact-sheet