Affordable housing in Sarasota is a perpetual problem, even more so for young adults who have suffered hardships in life and found themselves without a consistent roof over their heads through no fault of their own. But more young people in this vulnerable group now have access to the financial support they need to secure safe, stable housing. The Youth Advocacy Team, a collaboration of funders and service providers working to build a system of care for homeless teens and young adults in Sarasota County, recently more than doubled the number of housing subsidies it offers. With funding from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and several donors through Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the group is now able to subsidize housing costs for 23 local youth who otherwise would be homeless. “Investing in our young adults by offering them housing stability and support to complete high school and transition safely into adulthood is good for the future of Sarasota,” said Jennifer Johnston, senior community investment officer at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Without community care, these youth could become our next generation of homeless adults.” 

The housing subsidies are administered by the Sarasota Housing Authority, while the room-rental subsidies are overseen by the Safe Children Coalition. Other partners in the Youth Advocacy Team include nonprofit agencies Harvest House, More Too Life, and Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, government representatives from Sarasota County and child welfare, and philanthropic funders Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.