HUD announces over $100,000 to prevent youth homelessness

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on Sept. 30, $1.2 million to 14 Public Housing Agencies to 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, HUD will help prevent homelessness among young adults and eligible youth. Virginia received $130,382 in funding. 

The announcements support the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to preventing people from becoming homeless, addressing inequities that disproportionately impact underserved communities, and help cities and states reduce unsheltered homelessness.  

“Every young person across America deserves to live and thrive in a safe and affordable home, especially those particularly vulnerable to homelessness,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “One of our main goals is to ease connections to housing for youth aging out of foster care and equip our partners across the housing spectrum with the necessary resources to transition foster youth to independence.” 

 
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. The funding awarded today helps 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.

The FYI program 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.

“We have a grave responsibility to protect our at-risk youth from homelessness” said Richard Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. “Working with Public Housing Agencies and Public Child Welfare Agencies allows for greater partnership opportunities through the FYI program to house more youth transitioning into safe and stable homes from foster care environments.”

The FYI program makes Housing Choice Voucher assistance available to PHAs in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies who provide or secure an array of supportive services. 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 5,385 FYI vouchers that are administered by 316 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 $18.9 million for a total of 1,468 vouchers.