WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today revealed plans to distribute $12,746,450 in competitive grants to public housing authorities (PHAs) through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative. The initiative aims to assist young adults transitioning out of foster care by providing them with housing support. The announcement was made by HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Andrew Lofton in Seattle, alongside the Seattle Housing Authority.
Young adults leaving foster care often face periods of uncertainty and heightened risk of homelessness. The FYI program, by facilitating collaboration between PHAs and Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs), offers Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance to provide stable housing and help prevent homelessness during this critical transition.
Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the vulnerability of youth aging out of foster care to homelessness and highlighted the department’s commitment to ensuring that housing agencies are equipped to facilitate the transition to secure living situations. “Every young person deserves a stable, affordable home,” Todman stated.
The allocated FYI vouchers will serve young adults aged 18 to 24 who have recently left or are about to leave foster care and are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Richard Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, reflected on the nation’s responsibility to support young people. He noted that HUD’s FYI Program and partnerships with local PHAs and child welfare systems provide essential support to youth exiting foster care, helping them to build towards a hopeful future.
The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) has nearly 15 years of experience in aiding youth from the foster care system, developing an integrated model that includes personalized wraparound services to help youth stabilize and work towards self-sufficiency. As one of the initial recipients of the FYI vouchers, and following a successful first allocation, SHA received a second round of funding about a year later. Their flexibility under HUD’s Moving to Work program also allows them to extend support beyond initial timelines, aiding youth in achieving independence.
For more information, read the original press release from: https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_081