Become a homestay volunteer

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Safe Place for Youth's (SPY) Host Home Program is an innovative, grassroots approach to addressing a community’s homelessness crisis. By matching Transitional Age Youth (18-24 yrs old) facing housing instability to underutilized bedrooms and spaces in individual homes around Los Angeles, we make more efficient use of available housing resources while providing each young person with needed access to short-term shelter and a meaningful connection to a caring community member. By accessing a host home, young people are able to engage in the long-term housing search safely and more successfully, and receive support services while in SPY’s Host Home Program.

Host Home Programs have been successfully launched across the country, with communities tailoring program components to their community’s unique needs. This program will focus on matching youth guests for stays of 3 to 6 months, as an interim step along with their long-term housing plan. Hosts will be offered monthly financial stipends of $500 for their participation and guests will receive SPY’s support services including case management, job skills training, and mental health counseling. Matches will be made based on shared interests and goals and will create the foundation for authentic, meaningful relationships.

Our hosts must reside in LA County and will meet the following requirements/steps before being matched:
- Be age 25+
- Have a private bedroom or a suitable shared living space (no more than 2 per room)
- Valid ID
- Proof of homeowner's/renter's insurance
- Undergo a Home Inspection
- Undergo a Live Scan
- Complete a TB Test (valid if completed within the past year)
- Complete a 2-hour volunteer orientation and Host Home specific training
- Complete any additional documentation for financial stipend
- Provide copy of COVID-19 vaccination (if applicable, not required for Host Home providers)