TAY House Provides Housing and Services for Local Youth

Who knew there was a local housing program for youth who had been either in the foster care system or on probation?

Wittney Hawkins is the Program Coordinator for the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Housing Program. When I spoke to Wittney, she told me TAY House’s target population is unsheltered youth, ages 18-24, and credited her colleagues, Pablo Lopez and Kayla Northington, for their collaboration and hard work in getting TAY House open in early 2025. 

According to the TAY House Handbook (2025), their mission is to empower residents “to build the skills, confidence, and independence that will create a foundation for lifelong success and well-being.” Services include “advocacy, education, job training, and life skills development.”

The Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California operate TAY House, which is funded by a grant from the California Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (Tribal HHAP). “Tribal HHAP provides flexible funding to Federally Recognized Tribes for a variety of unique, culturally responsive interventions to prevent and address homelessness in their communities,” according to their website (1).

With the goals of TAY House centered around early intervention and prevention, Wittney and her staff offer resources, education, and skills to residents while they live in safe housing accommodations. The program provides opportunities for healthy decision-making and tools that will help them become independent, successful young adults.

Thanks to the backing of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California, our rural community can house and provide services to youth in need.

NOTES

1. “Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (Tribal HHAP) Grants Program,” California Department of Housing and Community, State of California, 2025.