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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 74 November 2023 J O U R N A L HUD also worked closely with its federal partners to help develop the pro- gram and review applications, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. "HUD takes a youth-centric approach in our efforts to end youth homeless- ness," HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman said. "The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program provides com- munities the opportunity to address the unique needs of youth and young adults and designs specific projects that meet their needs. With this funding, HUD is targeting federal resources to meet local needs and support community-driven efforts to end youth homelessness and improve outcomes through stable hous- ing and services." YHDP recipients will use their funding to address youth homelessness that is spe- cifically tailored to their needs, including funding for housing units, wrap-around services, and housing support. YHDP will also support youth-focused performance measurement and coordinated entry sys- tems. The goal of the YHDP is to support selected communities in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. HUD's approach supports the foundations outlined in "All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness" and will guide communi- ties in designing solutions that match the needs of their community with special attention on creating equitable strategies to assist youth who are most vulnerable, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and differ- ently abled youth. According to HUD, all YHDP com- munities are required to establish Youth Action Boards, in which young people with lived experience lead the community effort to design, implement, and improve programs and policies to end youth home- lessness in their communities. Including these awards, to date, HUD has awarded YHDP funding to 110 com- munities, representing a $440 million investment to prevent and end youth homelessness. HUD LAUNCHES LATINO TASK FORCE I n line with Hispanic Heritage Month, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched a new task force dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community and bridging disparities in housing, pro- curement, and housing practices. This task force is part of a larger initiative across the Federal Government to enhance educational and economic opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos. "It is my honor to serve alongside tal- ented, unique, and hard-working public servants of all backgrounds, including the Latino community" HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said. "I am in awe of the work our Hispanic colleagues have done to create the inaugural Latino Task Force, a group that will bring us closer to accomplishing our agency's pledge to equity, inclusion, and diversity." The Task Force will assemble career and political staff from all corners of the agency to promote economic opportunities for the Hispanic community, drive new policy initiatives to advance equity for the Hispanic community, and create a more inclusive Department through language access, procurement, and hiring. The Task Force was created in response to the Execu- tive Order on the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, announced in September 2021. "As leaders of this Department, we have an incredible opportunity to shape how housing policies affect the Latino community across the country," said Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava, HUD's As- sistant Secretary for Administration. "If we want to see a meaningful impact on policies, there need to be people at the table with the lived experience that can influence those decisions." Over 20 HUD employees participat- ed in the Task Force's inaugural meeting, led by Assistant Secretary Bhargava, the highest-ranking Latina leader at HUD. Together, this group aims to achieve the following goals: Workforce Development and Eco- nomic Success • Highlight and uplift current HUD policies affecting the Latino com- munity. • Identify improvement opportunities in HUD policies and communica- tions. "As leaders of this Department, we have an incredible opportunity to shape how housing policies affect the Latino community across the country." —Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava, HUD's Assistant Secretary for Administration