How It Works

Participants are usually referred to us directly by external foster youth support agencies. We do not provide individual apartments. However, all participants will have a maximum of two other adult housemates. All referrals are added to a waitlist. Waitlisted referrals are then invited to attend an in person session as vacancies arise, where they meet other transition aged youth with the goal to find a compatible housemate. After a series of co-living compatibility assessment activities conducted by our facilitator at the session, mutually agreed upon housemate matches are then eligible to move into one of our micro-communities.

Please note: Our largest units are reserved for roommate matches with families. Please ensure that if the referral is using a housing choice voucher (section 8) the voucher must be able to accommodate shared housing

1. How do I apply?

   • Complete online application:  Click Here

2. When will I hear from someone?

   • All applications are placed on our waiting list. When openings become available, the Housing team will contact clients based on the waiting list ONLY if they have additional questions. We do not provide emergency housing.

3. How long does my application stay on file?

   • All applications stay on file for 6 months.  Applicants must reapply on our website during the first week of the new quarter following the six-month expiration of their application.

4. What qualifies a family for being considered for the program

We accept single-parent households with a child under the age of 5.  Families are expected to be living together prior to being accepted into the program.

5. Once a family is selected to participate in the housing program please provide a copy of the following:

   • Current picture ID for each adult

   • Birth certificate of all household members

   • Social security cards for all household members

6. How long can a family stay in the program?

   • We provide transitional term housing that is based on a family’s progress towards targeted goals and outcomes which are time specific.

Housing Units:

1. Each Lilypad community consists of individual housing units grouped together, each designed to accommodate one to four residents (including children of residents who share the same unit). Each unit includes semi-furnished private bedrooms for each resident, shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen, living area, and a shared study or workspace.

Shared Responsibilities:

2. As part of the cooperative model, residents share responsibilities for maintaining the cleanliness and order of the communal areas. A rotating chore chart encourages equality and accountability. Residents also contribute to communal groceries and take turns in meal preparation for shared dinners, promoting a sense of community and shared stewardship.

Community Meetings:

3. Regular community meetings allow all community residents to voice concerns, resolve conflicts, and make decisions about communal living. These include decisions about the rules of each house, and the governance of the entire compound. Community meetings also serve as an opportunity to share information, conduct workshops, and have guest speakers.