(bright curious music begins) - I'm Paris Jackson in the Crosscut KCTS9 newsroom.

While Washington State ranks high for youth and young adult homeless prevention according to one national study, the state's own data shows room for improvement.

A June report by the Department of Social and Health Services showed that between July, 2020 and June, 2021, nearly 15% of the young people who left state systems, including foster care and the juvenile justice system, were homeless a year later.

In one way those figures represent improvement whereas in 2017, 20% of young people exiting state systems were homeless a year later.

In 2022, Washington State dedicated over $5 million to four initiatives to prevent young people discharged from state systems, from ending up on the streets.

Advocates say the money has flowed to young people in many ways, from paying their rent, security deposits, utility bills, to finding housing.

However, spending data suggests that funds reach recipients and programs inconsistently.

I'm Paris Jackson.

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