Homelessness Coalition

Application Deadline: February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM

The Opportunity

This is more than a consulting role—it's a chance to build something transformative. You'll support Youth Action Boards (YABs) made up of young people aged 18-24 who have experienced homelessness or housing instability. Their insights will drive real change across our homeless response systems in Lancaster, Berks, and York Counties.

Position Details

• Contract Duration: 12 months starting April 2026
• Contract Maximum: Up to $240,000
• Time Commitment: 35-40 hours per week (includes some evenings/weekends)
• Location: Tri-county region (Lancaster, Berks, York Counties, PA)
• Funding Source: HUD Youth Homelessness System Improvement Grant

What You'll Do

As the YAB Program Coordinator Consultant, you will:

• Elevate Youth Voice: Create authentic opportunities for young people with lived experience to lead decision-making and drive systems change
• Build Youth Action Boards: Recruit, support, and develop YAB members across three counties, with a focus on reaching historically marginalized communities
• Foster Leadership: Provide leadership development opportunities that empower youth to engage meaningfully in Continuum of Care governance
• Create Regional Collaboration: Develop methods for communication and collaboration across county YABs
• Build Partnerships: Establish trust-based relationships with youth-serving organizations, community members, and system partners
• Ensure Sustainability: Work with YABs to create sustainability plans that extend beyond grant funding
• Drive System Change: Collaborate with CoC leadership to ensure youth voice shapes homeless response systems

Who Should Apply

We're looking for individuals or firms who bring:

• A deep commitment to youth voice and shared decision-making
• Experience engaging with diverse youth and young adult populations
• Understanding of systemic barriers that impact housing access and stability
• Strong project management and relationship-building skills
• Ability to facilitate both virtual and in-person sessions effectively
• Knowledge of HUD-funded programs (CoC, Coordinated Entry, HMIS) is valued but not required
• Experience with youth-led initiatives or cross-system partnerships

Don't have direct youth homelessness experience? We encourage you to apply! Related expertise in youth engagement, systems change, or community organizing is valuable.

Your Proposal Should Include

1. Narrative addressing:
   • Your approach to centering youth voice and shared decision-making
   • Strategies for recruiting and supporting youth from marginalized communities
   • Plan for building relationships across the tri-county region
   • Understanding of project milestones and capacity to execute
   • Project management tools and communication methods
   • Relevant knowledge and experience
   • Facilitation and training experience
2. Budget: Proposed hourly rate and estimated project hours
3. Resume: For the individual who will be assigned to this project
4. Work Samples: Two examples demonstrating your capacity to engage youth, manage complex projects, or support systems-change efforts

How to Apply

Email your proposal to: Beth Dryer-DeGoede at [email protected]

Subject Line: Tri-County YAB Consultant Proposal

Deadline: February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Format: Word or PDF document

Important Dates

Commitment to Diversity

Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women's Business Enterprises (WBE) are strongly encouraged to apply. Please include a copy of your certification with your proposal.

Questions?

Submit questions via email to [email protected] with the subject line "YHSI RFP Questions" no later than February 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM.