Ending the Foster Youth to Homelessness Pipeline
24 units for at-risk youth and seniors. Delivery slated for September 2026.
Annually, 23,000 U.S. youth age out of foster care without a safety net—up to 25% face homelessness within four years.
Innovating with Excelsior Wellness
At Courage Housing, we're excited to partner with Excelsior Wellness as they broke ground in September 2025 on a 24-unit intergenerational complex in Spokane, Washington—targeted for fall 2026 completion. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to evidence-based strategies that interrupt the foster youth-to-homelessness pipeline.
The project dedicates one-third of its units to at-risk youth (including former foster youth), one-third to seniors, and one-third to workforce residents, building intergenerational ties that studies confirm yield better results: guidance for young people, companionship for elders, and resilient neighborhoods for all.
Situated next to Excelsior's vocational training center, it integrates essential services such as case management, skills development, and mentorship. Drawing on Excelsior's impressive history—of $16 million in taxpayer savings and uplifting more than 60 young lives—this effort will help achieve stable housing for 75 transition-aged youth over the next decade, while providing a blueprint for tackling youth homelessness across the U.S.
Through our partnership, we contributed to assembling a $2.89 million capital stack, featuring a $1.5 million CRA investment from Washington Trust Bank, $100,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), over $950,000 in impact lending from the City of Spokane, and $340,000 in CHIP funding. This joint financing effort illustrates how Courage Housing excels at forging connections between public, private, and philanthropic sources to fuel meaningful, scalable housing projects.
This partnership positions us to lend our expertise to comparable initiatives nationwide—transforming compassion into concrete change for at-risk youth and beyond.
How It Works
At Courage Housing, we're tackling the foster youth to homelessness pipeline head-on by partnering with established non-profits that specialize in serving these resilient young adults. Together, we develop affordable housing that intentionally blends dedicated units for at-risk youth with workforce and senior residences—creating vibrant, supportive communities where generations lift each other up.
For seniors, this model reignites a profound sense of purpose: research reveals intergenerational programs reduce isolation and depression while boosting self-esteem and overall well-being. Meanwhile, youth gain invaluable mentorship and role models, leading to measurable gains like improved academic performance, stronger social skills, and reduced generational stereotypes—outcomes that foster long-term success across health, education, and employment.
We firmly believe that thoughtfully designed built environments—infused with wraparound support—provide the springboard these kids need to thrive, keeping them off the streets and building pathways to prosperity for all involved.
