Our House also provides housing support for youth who aren’t able to remain at home, yet can’t function on their own. LAUNCH PAD began in 2017 as homelessness prevention, coupled with support and life skills education and practice for young adults 18 and older who might otherwise find themselves couch-surfing or in an unsafe environment.

 

LAUNCH PAD is a house where a few young adults live together, along with a Resident Manager, in a safe, supportive environment as they learn about what it’s like to live on their own for the first time. LAUNCH PAD is more than a rent-assistance program; involvement in the program entails job skills development, educational development, and life skills development combined with 1:1 mentoring.

In order to participate in the program, participants are required to be in school and/or working and pay an affordable, below market rent each month so that they can build a sense of agency and ownership in their living space; however they are not required to pay for a security deposit and the apartments are fully furnished. There are also opportunities to earn a little income by working on their goals and life skills.