Youthbuild Quick Facts

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Summary:

Youthbuild was authorized as the "Hope for Youth," program on October 28, 1992, under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992.

Purpose:

Youthbuild provides grants on a competitive basis to non-profit organizations to assist high-risk youth between the ages of 16-24 to learn housing construction job skills and to complete their high school education. Program participants enhance their skills as they construct and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for very low-, low-income, and homeless persons or families.

Type of Assistance:

HUD awards Youthbuild funds as competitive grants.

Eligible Applicants:

Youthbuild grants are available to public or private nonprofit agencies, public housing authorities, State and local governments or any organization eligible to provide education and employment training under Federal employment training programs.

Eligible Participants:

Youthbuild participants are very low-income high school dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24. Up to 25 percent of participants may have higher incomes or a high school education, but must have educational needs that justify their inclusion in the program.

Eligible Activities:

Youthbuild programs offer educational and job training services, leadership training, counseling and other support activities, as well as on-site training in housing rehabilitation or construction work (which accounts for at least half of each participant's time). Specifically, Youthbuild pays for the costs of:

	ongoing training, technical assistance, education, job training, counseling, employment and leadership development services and activities.
	wages, benefits and need-based stipends for participants.
	entrepreneurial training, drivers' education, internships, programs for those with learning disabilities.
	in-house staff training.
	the acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of the housing and related facilities used in the program.
	necessary relocation payments for residents of such housing.
	administrative costs, which generally cannot exceed 10 percent of the Youthbuild grant.

Application:

After HUD publishes a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Youthbuild program, typically once each calendar year, applicants must submit specific information about a proposed project in their application. They must also certify that the project is consistent with the Consolidated Plan of the jurisdiction where each proposed project is found.

Funding Categories:

	Category 1 Grants Grants for new applicants that have not previously received funding under the Youthbuild program since the inception of the program and that have elected not to apply under Category 2 or 3 Grants. Grants are available for $400,000 or less for activities not to exceed 30 months.
	Category 2 Grants Grants are available for $700,000 or less for activities not to exceed 30 months.
	Category 3 Grants Grants are available for $400,000 or less to establish programs in underserved and rural areas not to exceed 30 months.

Funding Status:

FY 2004, $64.6 million appropriated, 368 applications received, 97 grants awarded.

FY 2003, $60 million appropriated, 415 applications received, 106 grants awarded.

FY 2002, $60 million appropriated, 365 applications received, implementation grants only, 116 grants awarded.

FY 2001, $53 million appropriated, 360 applications received, implementation grants only, 115 grants awarded.

FY 2000, $40 million appropriated, 273 applications received, implementation grants only, 78 grants awarded.

Technical Guidance:

Youthbuild is authorized under subtitle D of Title IV of the National Affordable Housing Act (the Act), added through Section 164 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-550, 106 STAT. 3723, 42 U.S.C. 12899). Program regulations are at 24 CFR Part 585. These regulations, program notices, and other relevant technical information on Youthbuild are available electronically through HUDCLIPS. The Office of Economic Development in HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development administers the program. Contact: Phyllis Williams, 451 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410, (202) 708-2035. Hearing impaired users may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.