A Host Home is when a caring community member opens their home to a young person experiencing housing instability, offering a temporary placement (usually 3–6 months) while they work toward their goals of employment, education, and independent living. This is not foster care — it’s a youth-led, voluntary arrangement supported by mediated living agreements and wraparound case management for both the youth and the host adult or family. 

Host Homes have been successfully implemented for more than 20 years in communities across Washington and the nation. They are especially effective for youth who may not access, or benefit from, traditional overnight shelters. The Skagit Y will handle the training, vetting, and matching process between a host and a young person, ensuring that both sides are supported every step of the way. 

Importantly, Host Homes do not remove, jeopardize, or terminate parental rights — they are about stabilization and staying connected to the youth’s own community and natural supports. 

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA currently provides the only public services for unaccompanied minors in the county through programs like the Oasis Youth Shelter, Sedro-Woolley Rec Center, and our Street Outreach Services case management. We are also a leader in the statewide Communities for Functional Zero initiative, working alongside Skagit County Public Health, Northwest Youth Services, the North Sound ACH, Volunteers of America, and many others to end, not just manage, homelessness for young people ages 12–24. 

What’s provided to youth in Host Homes program

• Housing Support (typically 3-6 month)
• Case Management 
• Education/Employment support
• Resource Navigation
• Clothing 
• Hygiene Products 
• Transportation 
• Youth Stipend 
• Gender Affirming Items 

From 2024-2026, 338 high school students in Skagit County reported experiencing housing instability, highlighting a growing need for a Host Home Program in our community.

• 128 High School Students in Skagit County identified as experiencing homelessness from October 2025 to Date (January 2026) 
•  210 High School students in Skagit County identified as experiencing homelessness in the 2024-2025 school year. 

Sources – Skagit County McKinney-Vento Data, Per the WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Report Card

Additionally,

• Our existing services in Skagit County are not enough to fully meet the needs of youth and young adults facing homelessness. 
• Minors — especially teens under 16 — have no long-term placement options outside of foster care in our county. 
• CPS is strained and often cannot take action unless there is severe physical harm. 
• Youth benefit most when they are stabilized within their own communities and receive natural supports. 

Behind each number is a young person in our community who deserves safety, stability, and a place to belong. Host Homes offer more than a roof—they provide a caring, family-like environment where youth can feel supported, valued, and secure.