The Launching Pad

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Welcome to The Launching Pad, a program of housing assistance for formerly homeless young adults.

Mission

We believe that all youth and young adults should have a home, and that the community should assist young adults who are working toward housing self-sufficiency. Our primary goal is to remove the barriers that formerly homeless youth face as they try to move into permanent housing.

Because The Launching Pad believes that becoming housed is more than a bookkeeping function, this program has three key components:

• a no interest Revolving Loan Fund, capable of making loans to eligible youth (to secure an apartment and pay such deposits as a landlord may require);
• "tenant education" on such topics as home maintenance, personal budgeting, and the basics of what it means to be a good tenant; and
• social supports - an on-going relationship with a caring adult, nurtured in part through monthly meetings with other participants and mentors from local congregations.

The whole community will benefit from this program. Homeless young adults will be helped to move successfully from group homes to their own apartments through a combination of loans, relationships with caring adults, and responsible living skills. Landlords will be helped to have good tenants while making a positive difference in the lives of young adults. Local residents and businesses will benefit from a community in which homelessness is prevented and young adults are helped to mature into stable, productive citizens.

To learn about the history of the program, click here.

Eligibility Criteria

Loan applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered by the Launching Pad. An application form is available here.

• 18-25 years old
• Have no permanent night-time residence; leaving transitional living program or are living in an unsafe housing situation.
• Must be referred by staff from an agency, school, or health clinic working with homeless youth/young adults.
• Young people may not self-refer.
• Individuals may get applications by going through an agency like Youthcare, UDYC, or a local counselor.
• Must be capable of living independently without case management services.
• Individuals and couples (with or without dependents) may be accepted. However, only one person may sign the loan.
• Must be employed six months or show evidence of comparable productivity.
• Proposed rent can be up to 40% of gross income.

Contact: for more information, please contact Rick Eberhardt by emailing re28@u.washington.edu or by calling 206 616-0390