CASH LA Direct Cash Transfers As Prevention Request for Proposal

The awardee will be announced on April 11, 2025.

The CASH LA DCT-P Pilot aims to cost-efficiently improve housing stability, food security, empowerment, and general well-being of young people on the verge of experiencing homelessness. This pilot will engage approximately 100 young people in Los Angeles County, aged 18 to 30 at risk of experiencing homelessness. Each participant will receive a one-time direct financial assistance payment of variable amounts, which can be drawn down once or over time, depending on the needs of each individual.

Payments will be delivered to young people after enrollment and after completing the housing plan with their provider. Payments will be delivered within 24-48 hours of housing plan approval and/or at the discretion of the young person if they opt to receive multiple payments for financial management purposes. Receipt of the cash transfer is unconditional and immediate, and the pilot will provide up to 3 months of strengths-based supportive programming delivered by a local youth-serving non-profit (lead CBO). In this sense, we plan to implement and evaluate a “Cash Plus” model whereby young people receive direct cash transfers along with non-monetary supports to address other constraints to their long-term housing stability and thriving.

For more information on the intervention, the Direct Cash Transfer as Prevention (DCT-P) Handbook can be Accessed Here.

Review The RFP

Eligibility Criteria

● Applicants must be either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations or non functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations.

● Applicant organizations must be based in the County of Los Angeles. Awards will be made to organizations, not to individuals.

● Experience providing the following supportive services: housing navigation, mental health counseling, financial empowerment, and case management.

● Demonstrated Coordination with an organizational or community-wide Youth Action Board or are willing to meet regularly with the pilot youth consultants and LA Emissary.

● Demonstrated experience with youth/young adult-centered case management and centering youth leadership.

● Experience and ability to work with young people experiencing housing instability.

● Commitment and plan to uphold key principles of empowerment, trust, flexibility, meeting youth where they’re at, and 2SLGBTQIA+ and racial equity.

● Experience with/plan to participate effectively in program evaluation, tracking, managing and willingness to share program data with PSY and our research partners.

Watch the CASH LA DCT-P RFP Info Session Webinar!

Point Source Youth hosted a virtual information session on this RFP on March 19, 2025, to provide interested applicants with support and clarity, walk through the RFP process, and introduce our Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention team.

Watch the recording to learn more about the application process.

Q&A

We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we’ve received about the CASH LA Direct Cash Transfer as Prevention (DCT-P) initiative.

From eligibility and staffing to funding details and long-term plans, this Q&A document is a helpful resource for community-based organizations considering applying.

Download Q&A

Payment Amount and Frequency

The lead CBO will receive $480,000 total. The total funding opportunity consists primarily of salaries for the dedicated DCT-Prevention program staff and direct funds for approximately 100 young people.

● The CBO awardee will receive $400,000 for direct cash transfers to young people, which should be dispersed according to individualized need. We expect the lead CBO will serve approximately 100 young people with cash and provide supportive programming for a period of 3 months. Young people will have the flexibility to break up the payment into smaller amounts over time if it serves their needs.

● The CBO awardee will receive $80,000 for staffing salaries, benefits, and other program costs.

The Cash LA
Focus Group Report

In this report, you will learn about the landscape of youth homelessness in Los Angeles County, the wishes young people in LA County have for DCT-Ps, the data from the focus groups, and the group consensus on implementation of DCT-P specifically to LA County.

Download Report