Auburn Youth Resources has been awarded $150,000 in grants to offer critical services to youth and families facing the imminent risk of homelessness.

Grant funds are administered through King County Best Starts for Kids Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative.

“The Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative is a critical tool in the fight to end homelessness and extreme generational poverty,” said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who represents Auburn on the County Council. “This initiative directly fills a gap in services in South King County by supporting nonprofits such as Auburn Youth Resources that assist families in reaching their full potential by leading healthy, productive lives.”

The initiative will help families that are on the verge of being homeless by addressing their specific needs, such as clothes for a job interview or help with the first month’s rent.

The Youth and Family Homelessness Prevention Initiative is the first strategy funded by Best Starts for Kids, a six-year levy that will generate nearly $400 million for initiatives that promote healthier, more resilient children, youth and communities. It includes $19 million to prevent homelessness, starting now with $4 million awarded to 27 community-based nonprofit organizations that successfully competed for levy funds.