Partnering for Progress: Housing for Transition-Aged Youth Columbus, OH April 22, 2014 Partnering for Progress: Housing for Transition-Aged Youth Columbus, OH April 22, 2014 Ruth White National Center for Housing and Child Welfare

The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW)  NCHCW links housing resources to child welfare agencies to improve family functioning, prevent family homelessness, safely reduce the need for out-of-home placement, and ensure that each young person who ages out foster care is able to access safe, decent, permanent housing. 2

 According to the NLIHC, in 2013, the housing wage for an efficiency in Columbus, OH is $9.31, fulltime or $19,365 annually.  This full report is available at  Existing (and unnecessary) gaps exist between agencies – these gaps are costly. What are unaccompanied youth up against?

The bigger picture: “Everyone is living in their parents’ basement”  More “youth” in their 20s and 30s are still at home than at any other time since the Great Depression.  Average age of total financial independence was 26 in  A majority of current college seniors are planning on moving back home after graduation.  Youth employment rate the lowest since 1940s.  Many traditional entry-level jobs are now overseas. Many entry- level jobs have no health insurance.  Americans, 25-26, still get an average of $2,323 a year from parents. One out of 8 Americans is getting food stamps.

 Expand what works (Star House, Lighthouse, Daybreak)  Capitalize on current flexibility and raise expectations of how federal and state child welfare dollars are used – and who they are used for.  Build statewide partnerships to create a range of affordable housing opportunities.  Tap new and unusual streams of funding.  Plan for the future… What can be done at the state level to address housing issues?

Knit funding streams together to maximize time for youth to achieve self-sufficiency Independent Living Family Foster Care/Residential Unsheltered Homelessness Sheltered Homelessness Title IV-E FUP for youth Regular Sec. 8 Other Subsidy Roommate Private Housing/LL Age

Leave no stone unturned when seeking housing resources This is just a partial list of housing resources you can tap:  ARRA Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)  Community Action Programs (received $1 billion in CSBG ARRA funds)  HOME  Low Income Housing Tax Credit  City and State housing funds, SHFAs  Private Landlords  Public Housing Authorities – Section 8 and PH  Family Unification Program

 For the Community: it is the preferred option and it’s cheaper: a 2004 cost benefit analysis showed that it costs Colorado $53,655 to maintain one youth in the criminal justice system, but it only costs the state $5,887 to provide housing and services. Making the Case…

Barriers and overcoming them…  Legislative – Federal (What has Congress done)  Regulatory (How has HUD, HHS, or DOJ interpreted Congress’s intent)  Policy (What is your state doing with this information/opportunity)  Is OH taking advantage of current federal law?  Are state leaders partnering in ways that they can take advantage of current law?  Does OH need ORC changes? If so, the youth voice will be the most effective way to get them.

 Pay a visit to the states that have made strides, learn from their mistakes and achievements.  Be honest – beware of the “halo effect”  Raise expectations. On everyone.  Accelerate the pace of reform.  Collaborations are the fastest, most efficient way to create a range of housing options.  Get a seat at the table where housing resources are being discussed. Some final thoughts on how to overcome barriers to partnership

Contact information  Ruth White, MSSA Executive Director National Center for Housing and Child Welfare 4707 Calvert Rd College Park, MD (301)