ICYMI: HUD Doubles Down on Commitment to Supporting America’s Foster Youth During National Foster Care Month
HUD’s Programs Provide Youth with a Pathway to Housing Stability and Self-Sufficiency
WASHINGTON – In a series of announcements during the month of May, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner highlighted the department’s commitment to America’s foster youth during National Foster Care Month. Under President Trump’s leadership and in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, HUD has awarded $4.8 million to date for youth aging out of foster care under the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program, and announced $10 million in Family Unification Program (FUP) voucher assistance.
View highlights of the month below:
President Trump declares May as National Foster Care Month
On May 7th, President Trump declared the month of May as National Foster Care Month, calling upon all Americans to find ways to support children and youth in foster care, and to recognize the invaluable contributions of foster parents and other caregivers.
HUD collaborated with the Office of the First Lady on the seventh anniversary of the First Lady’s BE BEST Initiative to announce $1.8 million to support youth aging out of foster care through the FYI program. The investment will assist more than 100 young Americans across 11 states aging out of the foster care system with temporary, supportive funding to prevent homelessness for a duration of 36 months. Launched by Mrs. Trump in 2018, BE BEST is dedicated to promoting the well-being of children with a renewed emphasis on supporting foster youth through initiatives like Fostering the Future.
First Lady Melania Trump Secures $25 Million Investment in President’s FY26 Budget for Foster Youth
In honor of National Foster Care Month, First Lady Melania Trump announced on Thursday, May 8th that she secured a $25 million investment in the President’s FY26 Budget to provide housing and support to foster youth.
“I am proud to have successfully secured $25 million to provide housing for individuals aging out of foster care. This is another essential measure that ensures the safety, welfare, and autonomy of those in the foster community,” commented First Lady Melania Trump.
The First Lady continued, “Secretary Scott Turner’s commitment will provide thousands of youth transitioning out of the foster care system with dedicated rental assistance and other supportive services to promote stability and self-sufficiency.”
President Trump highlights $25 million to support foster youth aging out of the foster care system.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt discussed HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program during a White House press briefing.
HUD Provides $1.3 million to Support Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
On May 30th, Secretary Turner announced an additional $1.3 million dollar investment across 10 states under HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program to assist young Americans aging out of the foster care system with temporary, supportive funding to prevent homelessness. The announcement will impact more than 100 young Americans.
HUD Announces More Than $10 Million to House Families and Youth and Promote Self-Sufficiency
On May 19th, HUD awarded more than $10 million in Family Unification Program (FUP) voucher assistance funding for youth and families who lack safe and adequate housing. The award funds 573 vouchers at 11 public housing agencies (PHAs) across four states.
“A pathway to self-sufficiency is now one step closer as HUD works with localities to provide flexible funding for rental assistance and supportive services to foster youth and to keep foster-care-involved families together," said Secretary Scott Turner. “This commitment from HUD will help lay the groundwork for a future with greater opportunity and strong family values.”
In the News:
First lady Melania Trump scores win for America's foster youth with $25M investment
“‘At HUD,’ [Secretary Turner] added, ‘we are glad to be able to deliver on [The First Lady’s] vision to support thousands more foster youth by creating dedicated funding in the president’s FY26 budget to provide housing for young adults under the age of 25 exiting the foster care system without a home to go to.’”
Melania Trump Secures $25M Investment for Foster Youth
“The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated the funds toward its Foster Youth to Independence program (FYI) in recognition of the seventh anniversary of the first lady’s Be Best initiative.”
HUD, Melania Trump’s ‘Be Best’ invest $37,000 into housing for local foster youths
“Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority Executive Director Christal Crouso told 12 News that the organization was happy to learn that these vouchers were on the way. ‘Often [youths aging out of the foster care system] have limited support systems, so being able to provide them with stable housing is crucial to their success,’ Crouso said.”
$1.3M Lifeline for Foster Youth: HUD’s Bold Move to End Homelessness
“The announcement of new funding aligns with President Trump’s proclamation of May as National Foster Care Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges foster youth encounter as they transition into adulthood. The FYI program not only tackles immediate housing needs but also equips participants with the tools to succeed in their educational and professional endeavors.”
HUD Expands Foster Youth Housing Support in Virginia
“Foster Youth Housing Support just got a vital boost in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $43,640 to the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority for a $1.8 million expansion of the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative.”
First Lady Melania Trump announces $25 million investment to aid foster youth
“Finding housing is a common challenge for young adults who transition out of the foster care system. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, approximately 23,000 young adults exit the foster care system without securing permanent housing each year. Twenty percent of those young adults become instantly homeless. HUD Secretary Scott Turner thanked the First Lady for securing the funding, calling it a ‘game changer.’”
HUD Allocates Over $10M to Support Youth and Family Housing Stability
“The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has awarded more than $10 million in Family Unification Program (FUP) voucher assistance funding for youth and families who lack safe and adequate housing. HUD’s award will fund 573 vouchers at 11 public housing agencies (PHAs) across California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Utah.”
Background:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that more than 20,000 young people age out of foster care each year. The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW) estimates that approximately 25 percent of these young people experience homelessness within four years of leaving foster care and an even higher share are precariously housed.
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