Evaluation of the Youthbuild Program

Youthbuild, a youth and community development program, was authorized in1992
under the Housing and Community Development Act (HCDA) of1992. It was based on
the example of a privately funded project originating in New York in which youth who
had dropped out of school participated in a program of personal and community
development that taught leadership and public-speaking skills, helped the youth to earn
their General Educational Development (GED) certificate, and provided both formal and
informal counseling.While in this program,participants also developed job skills through
projects to renovate abandoned buildings in their neighborhoods. A demonstration
program in the early1990s encouraged the implementation ofa national program. Since
then, a national network of Youthbuild programs has evolved, incorporating the same
elements as the New York model. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) administers this program and provides funding, through an annual
competitive grant application process, to local organizations who implement the
Youthbuild program.