The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced over $1.4 million in housing assistance through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative for youth transitioning out of foster care who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. May marks National Foster Care Month, a time to renew the commitment to ensuring all young people who are or have been in foster care have the support and resources they need to thrive.
“The Foster Youth to Independence initiative fills a longstanding gap in support for young people who are transitioning out of foster care,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “I am proud of the award-winning Foster Youth to Independence program, which provides stability and hope to young people aging out of foster care. During National Foster Care Month, we recognize the challenges young people face in the foster care system and recommit to improving housing outcomes for our nation’s foster youth.”
In October 2021, HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence team was awarded the prestigious 2021 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (“Sammies”) for the creation and management of the innovative FYI program, which has achieved significant accomplishments in efficient, effective, and results-oriented government.
Over the past year, the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative has awarded $12.7 million in 45 states to provide 18- to 24-year-olds who are aging out or have aged out of foster care with rental assistance and other supportive services so they can work toward their educational and employment goals and reach self-sufficiency.
In January, HUD published a notice in the Federal Register implementing and providing guidance on Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO). Under FSHO, foster youth will be able to receive up to an additional 24 months of voucher assistance, for a maximum of 60 months. The program also provides supportive services.
The funding awarded today will provide up housing vouchers and assist youth in accessing housing stability. To be eligible for FYI funding, public housing authorities must:
- Administer a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program;
- Enter into a partnership agreement with a Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA);
- Accept young people referred by their partnering PCWA; and
- Determine that the referred youth are eligible for HCV assistance.
The following states have been awarded funding:
| State | City | Recipient | Amount |
| CA | San Luis Obispo | Housing Authority of the City of San Luis Obispo | $10,695 |
| FL | Deerfield Beach | Housing Authority of the City of Deerfield Beach | $128,730 |
| GA | Brunswick | Housing Authority of the City of Brunswick | $8,225 |
| IN | East Chicago | Housing Authority of the City of East Chicago | $117,358 |
| IN | Elkhart | Housing Authority of the City of Elkhart | $14,072 |
| IN | Noblesville | Noblesville Housing Authority | $21,498 |
| MA | Boston | Boston Housing Authority | $151,543 |
| MD | Hagerstown | Hagerstown Housing Authority | $40,952 |
| MD | Rockville | Rockville Housing Enterprises | $58,760 |
| ME | Portland | Portland Housing Authority | $23,595 |
| MN | St. Paul | Metropolitan Council | $106,964 |
| MO | Columbia | Boone County Public Housing Agency | $10,452 |
| NH | Dover | Dover Housing Authority | $9,089 |
| NM | Socorro | El Camino Real Housing Authority | $13,486 |
| OH | Sandusky | Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority | $6,683 |
| OR | Eugene | Housing Authority & Comm Services Agency of Lane County | $26,761 |
| RI | Providence | East Providence Housing Authority | $237,990 |
| TX | Fabens | El Paso County Housing Authority | $154,431 |
| TX | Longview | Longview Housing Authority | $72,492 |
| TX | Pharr | Pharr Housing Authority | $4,960 |
| TX | Rosenberg | Housing Authority of the City of Rosenberg | $58,775 |
| TX | San Benito | San Benito Housing Authority | $5,881 |
| WA | Bremerton | Housing Authority of the City of Bremerton | $107,072 |
| WA | Bellingham | Housing Authority City of Bellingham | $18,444 |
| WI | Janesville | Janesville Neighborhood Services | $24,247 |
| WV | Point Pleasant | Housing Authority of the City of Pt. Pleasant | $4,240 |
| $1,437,395 |
For more information on the FYI program, please visit: www.hud.gov/fyi