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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced $15.4 million for two programs that support young Americans who are transitioning out of foster care and experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Through the Foster Youth to Independence program and another set of non-competitive funds, HUD will help prevent homelessness among young adults and eligible youth. Today’s announcements support the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to preventing people from becoming homeless, addressing inequities that disproportionately impact underserved communities, and helping cities and states reduce unsheltered homelessness.  In Louisiana, Jefferson Parish received $495,287 under the program.

“These investments are the cornerstone of shielding youth from the risk of homelessness.” saidHUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “One of our main commitments to transitioning foster youth to independence is to provide them with a stable environment.”

Transitioning out of foster care can create a time of uncertainty and instability in the lives of young people and increase the risk of experiencing homelessness. Funding awarded today, both competitive and non-competitive, will help communities across the country to address gaps in the availability of housing assistance for young Americans, support the federal goal of preventing and ending youth homelessness and set young people on a path to self-sufficiency by providing education, counseling and supportive services. This will directly support young adults between the ages of 18 years old and no more than 25 years old, who left foster care or are transitioning out of foster care and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program, HUD is awarding $12.5 million to 21 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) for young adults under 25 years old who left foster care or are transitioning out of foster care. HUD is also awarding $2.7 million to 25 PHAs that will distribute 168 FYI housing assistance vouchers for eligible youth in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs).

Further, FYI makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to PHAs in partnership with PCWAs. This will broaden access to stable housing for youth and young adults who’ve previously lived in foster care. HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard J. Monocchio made the announcement in Lansing, MI.

“Our commitment to keeping youth off the streets starts with providing safe and healthy homes where they can transition to independent living,” said Richard Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. “Through Programs like FYI and by partnering with Public Housing Agencies and Public Child Welfare Agencies, HUD is best able to support youth who have been in foster care and create a pathway to stable homes and solid futures.”

“Foster youth often find themselves in challenging situations when aging out from the program,” said Candace Valenzuela, HUD Regional Administrator. “Through no fault of their own they sometimes find themselves in need of support and housing. The Foster Youth Initiative helps meet those needs, helps to prevent homelessness and offers support to young adults so they can continue their education or take actions to improve their lives.”

Established by Congress in 2019, the FYI program was created through the youth advocacy efforts to allow all PHAs to serve eligible young adults, particularly those who’ve lived in foster care. in their communities. There are currently 5,422 FYI vouchers that are administered by 318 PHAs across the country. Funding remains available for additional on-demand FYI assistance under PIH Notice 2023-04, which made $30 million available to PHAs to apply for on demand as eligible youth were identified and referred to the PHA through their partnering PCWA. To date, under this notice, HUD has awarded more than $15 million for a total of 1,389 vouchers.