InvestYES (Formerly YDIP)
For young people in crisis, there should be no wrong door to help.
At its heart, InvestYES, or Investing in Youth Exiting Systems, is the next iteration of the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project (YDIP), building on this simple but powerful idea. Too often, these youth and young adults have no one to turn to and face steep barriers to housing, work, and wellness. InvestYES works to change that by meeting them where they are, connecting them to trusted providers, and offering quick, flexible financial support that can cover urgent needs—from move-in costs to transportation repairs—so they can secure safe housing and take the next steps toward their goals.
Building on what we learned through YDIP, InvestYES will connect with young people earlier and stay connected longer. Young people participating in InvestYES can receive flexible funding to address immediate barriers to a housing plan, along with a $750 monthly stipend for up to 12 months. During that time, they can continue working with community partners on goals related to housing, education, employment, and other needs. (Read more about InvestYES in our new blog post.)
Examples of what flex funds can be used for:
Improving lives
Since launching in 2023 as YDIP, InvestYES has demonstrated strong, statewide impact—reaching young people across six counties and helping them avoid entering the homelessness system altogether.
Findings from the latest evaluation (February 2023 – August 2025) show that the program is a highly effective, responsive, and equitable approach to preventing youth homelessness and supporting long-term housing stability.
Building on what we learned during the first three years of YDIP, the program is moving forward as InvestYES with an updated model designed to connect with young people earlier and stay connected longer.
Read our latest YDIP program evaluation report here
Read about YDIP’s first-year impact here
Check out our YDIP infographic that illustrates how the program works and its impact
By centering young people’s voices and investing in solutions shaped by their needs, InvestYES is not only changing individual lives, but also reshaping systems to prevent homelessness and prepare young people for a brighter future.
InvestYES is an ongoing Building Changes project, funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY).