HUD Awards $12.9 Million to Prevent Homelessness Among Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care

16 Public Housing Agencies in 9 States will use funding to keep Foster Youth Housed

WASHINGTON - In an effort to help youth in foster care find affordable housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $12.9 million to 16 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in 9 states to provide housing assistance to young adults who are transitioning out of foster care and are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The funding was awarded through HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative.

“Helping young adults to find a place to call home gives them the opportunity to focus on their goals and dreams without having to worry about where they are going to lay their head at night,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “We are excited to work with Public Housing Agencies to help them meet the housing needs of youth who have aged out of the foster care program so that they have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.”

The FYI initiative aims to create a community response to youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who have been involved with the child welfare system. FYI makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to PHAs who have a partnership with public child welfare agencies (PCWA). Under the program PHAs can provide housing assistance to young adult in between the ages of 18 years and not more than 24 years old who left foster care or will leave foster care in the next 90 days and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative, HUD is investing in a community response to homelessness faced by child welfare involved youth.

The following recipients have been awarded funding: