Coordinated Entry: Opening Doors to Stability and Opportunity
Through our Young Adult Shelter, Volunteers of America participates in Spokane’s Coordinated Entry system—a community-wide process designed to ensure individuals and families experiencing homelessness are quickly connected to the most appropriate housing and services. Our shelter case managers work directly with young adults ages 18–24 to complete a standardized assessment that identifies their needs, strengths, and housing goals. This information is entered into the regional Coordinated Entry database, where it is matched with available housing and support options. By serving as both an access point and a trusted guide, we help young adults navigate the housing system, reduce wait times, and secure stable housing more efficiently.

Eligibility
Coordinated Entry is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, including single adults, young adults, couples, families, and veterans. You may be eligible if you are:

• Living and sleeping outside or in a place not meant for human habitation
• Staying in an emergency shelter
• Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence
• Exiting an institution (within the past 90 days) where you stayed immediately after being homeless
• A young adult within 14 days of losing housing, with no safe alternative

How It Works

1. Access Point – Young adults connect with Coordinated Entry through our shelter, where trained staff conduct a brief screening and diversion conversation to explore immediate solutions.
2. Assessment – We use a standardized tool to evaluate housing needs, vulnerabilities, and strengths.
3. Prioritization – Those with the greatest barriers to housing are prioritized for available resources, following a Housing First approach with minimal barriers to entry.
4. Referral – Eligible participants are matched with housing programs such as Rapid Re-Housing, Transitional Housing,or Permanent Supportive Housing.
5. Choice and Support – Participants have the right to accept or decline referrals, and staff remain available to help explore other options until stable housing is secured.

This process ensures that every young adult has fair, consistent, and streamlined access to the right resources at the right time—reducing “run around” and focusing on long-term stability.

Need Help?

If you are between the ages of 18–24 and are homeless or imminently at risk of homelessness, please contact our Young Adult Shelter:

(509) 309-3744
Open 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
3104 E. Augusta Ave, Spokane, WA 99207
csmith@voaspokane.org