Improving Housing Options for Youth in Transition Roxana Torrico, MSW Child Welfare League of America NGA Policy Academy on Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care “A house is a home, when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.” -Phillip Moffitt (1986)

Former Foster Youth are Becoming Homeless As many as three in ten homeless adults were formerly children in foster care; Between 12 – 36% of former foster care youth are experiencing homelessness.. Homeless parents who spent time in foster care as children are 2xs as likely to have their own children placed in foster care.

What are young people aging out of foster care facing?? Limited life skills upon discharge from Child Welfare system Child welfare agencies with limited housing expertise and resources necessary to assist youth Limited support networks Harsh economic realities Expensive housing costs!!!!

Most Expensive Places for Youth to Live on their Own Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apartment: District of Columbia $20.77 Hawaii $18.57 California $18.11 Massachusetts $18.32 Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum wage to afford a one bedroom: District of Columbia 126 Hawaii 119 California 107 Massachusetts 109 Out of Reach 2003, NLIHC

SO HOW MUCH DOES A YOUTH HAVE TO EARN TO LIVE IN YOUR STATE? Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apt: California $18.11 Illinois$13.41 Florida$13.21 Michigan $11.52 Minnesota$11.94 South Carolina $9.99 Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum wage to afford a one bedroom apt: California 107 Illinois83 Florida86 Michigan 89 Minnesota78 South Carolina78

What is the Solution to Prevent Youth Homelessness?? Solid Collaboration with Public Housing Authorities, Child Welfare Agencies, community based agencies, housing officials, business leaders, developers, advocates and YOUTH!

What Can Be Done at State Level to Address Housing Issues? Housing Must Be a Significant Component of Youth State’s Independent Living Curricula Ensure that Your Child Welfare System Builds a Continuum of Housing Resources Provide Youth with Opportunities to Practice Living on their Own Build Statewide Partnerships to Create a Range of Affordable Housing Opportunities Tap into New and Unusual Streams of Funding

All transitioning and former foster youth have the right to safe, stable and affordable housing!!! Utilize Chafee Funds Give Youth Opportunities To Practice Living on Their Own Create an Solid, Effective Discharge Plan – start the housing discussion early!!! Build partnerships with housing authorities Form collaborations in your community – create cross system dialogue in your community!

Funding Resources for Youth Housing Chafee Funding Family Unification Program (FUP) HOME funds HUD (a variety of options) TANF Welfare to Work funds Combination of Private & Public funds

What is Chafee? Congress created the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program, with increased supports and services for youth aging out of foster care including HOUSING!

States have the option of providing room & board to youth (aged 18-21) exiting care. Chafee increases state accountability for outcomes for young people exiting care. Chafee = Housing

Highlights from a CWLA Survey of IL Coordinators According to a CWLA survey of 38 IL Coordinators: 11 states report using 30% of their Chafee funds for room & board services 11 states report using 30% of their Chafee funds for room & board services 2 states reported using 0% (these states use other funding for room & board services 2 states reported using 0% (these states use other funding for room & board services 26 states reported using only Chafee funds for youth age 18 and over 26 states reported using only Chafee funds for youth age 18 and over 24 states indicated 30% of Chafee funds was sufficient to meet the needs of youth aging out 24 states indicated 30% of Chafee funds was sufficient to meet the needs of youth aging out 22 states indicated the use of FUP or priority 22 states indicated the use of FUP or priority Section 8 23 states reported that state or county child welfare agencies are partnering with public housing authorities to serve youth (i.e, Standard Section 8, public housing slots, etc.) 23 states reported that state or county child welfare agencies are partnering with public housing authorities to serve youth (i.e, Standard Section 8, public housing slots, etc.)

How Are States Using their Chafee $$$? Case management services First month’s rent, security deposits Emergency rental assistance Time-limited rental subsidies Furniture and household needs

What is the Family Unification Program (FUP)? The Family Unification program is: A housing program for youth and families in the child welfare system. A collaboration between housing authorities and child welfare agencies. A time limited program that provides section 8 vouchers to youth ages who have aged out of the foster care system at age 16 or older. Child welfare agencies will provide 18 months of aftercare services for youth when they enter housing.

Benefits of CW & PHA Collaborations For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs): For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs): Increased ability to serve clientele For Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs): Expanded Access to housing solutions for youth aging out of foster care and their caseworkers For Youth: Safe, stable & affordable housing & stability upon discharge from FC For the Community: Most cost-effective & beneficial to society

Elements of an Effective Partnership Liaisons are appointed Reliable Communication – learn each others language Hold Regular Meetings Cross-Training Staff Support Additional Partners are invited Additional Funding is sought Feedback is solicited from program participants

What is FUP’s current status? CWLA and other national organizations continue to advocate for the release of more FUP vouchers. Unfortunately, vouchers have not been rewarded since However, communities have continued to develop local partnerships between CWAs & PHAs to serve youth aging out of care.

States Using FUP model/Priority Section 8 for youth: Some examples of states serving youth with these models: Colorado New York CaliforniaIndianaOhio

The HOME Program Home Investments Partnership (HOME) is the largest federal program available exclusively to create new affordable housing.

The HOME Program The HOME program is more flexible than previous federal housing programs, as it gives more control & authority over federal housing funding to state and local housing officials allowing for more creativity and flexibility. Decisions about how HOME funds are used are left to state and local government officials.

The HOME Program HOME funds can be used to: Build, buy, and renovate rental housing; Finance homeownership opportunities; Repair homes, including making building physically accessible; or Provide rental subsidies to eligible households.

Distribution of HOME funds HUD distributes HOME funds every year to all 50 states and to more than 500 eligible localities (HOME participating jurisdictions). Communities that do not receive HOME funds directly from HUD can obtain HOME funding through the state’s HOME program.

The HOME Program Tenant based rental assistance can be used to assist youth during their transition out of the foster care system. Tenants pay a portion of their income for rent (generally 30% of adjusted gross income) and HOME funds pay the difference. The rental assistance is time-limited, but can be renewed if additional HOME funds are available. Examples of States using HOME funds for youth aging out: Florida, California

State Housing Agencies States Housing Agencies administer a number of housing funding streams, including HOME & Low-income Housing Tax Credits For more information about State Housing Agencies, go to

HUD - More Resources to House and Support Youth “Special Needs” vouchers Housing Choice vouchers “set aside” (permanent housing) Project-based vouchers Shelter + Care (permanent housing) Supportive Housing Program

Promising Programs  Lighthouse Youth Services (Cincinnati, OH) Housing Continuum  Orangewood Rising Tide Community- State Multifamily Housing Program  San Diego and Butte Counties (CHECK!!) HOME Funds  Illinois Dept of Children & Families Youth Housing Program   NJ Shared….

Promising Program in California  LaVerne Adolfo Housing Programs for Former Foster Youth in Sacramento, California  Transitional housing - HOME and Private funding for development of the program. Chafee and Welfare to Work funds for program operations.  Permanent housing- HUD supportive housing program, Welfare to Work, Shelter + Care, Housing Choice vouchers for development of the programs and HUD Supportive Housing and Welfare to Work for program operations.

Building a Partnership in Your Community Understand mission & limitations of the partner agencies Create youth housing continuum Write a detailed Memorandum of Understanding

Mix Public and Private Funds to Support Housing Programs Be creative! Think outside the box! Meet with members from every discipline within the community and analyze possible funding streams Pull from and blend HUD resources, state resources, Chafee funds, Welfare to Work funds, funds from foundations, charities, trusts, auctions, etc. Pull from and blend HUD resources, state resources, Chafee funds, Welfare to Work funds, funds from foundations, charities, trusts, auctions, etc.

Benefits of Partnerships & Collaborations Cross System Dialogue  More Effective Communication  Improved Services for Young People  Decreased Homelessness for Emancipated Youth

Advocating for youth exiting the child welfare system is an integral part of preventing homelessness! Using Your Voice to Change Minds...Change lives!