Funding Innovations for Housing Youth

Roxana Torrico, MSWChild Welfare League of America

National Alliance to End Homelessness 2006 Conference

Ending Homelessness: Plan, Act, Succeed

“A house is a home, when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.”

-Phillip Moffitt (1986)

Former Foster Youth are Former Foster Youth are Becoming HomelessBecoming Homeless

As many as three in ten homeless As many as three in ten homeless adults were formerly children in adults were formerly children in foster care;foster care;Between 10–36% of former foster Between 10–36% of former foster care youth are experiencing care youth are experiencing homelessness. homelessness. Homeless parents who spent time Homeless parents who spent time in foster care as children are 2xs in foster care as children are 2xs as likely to have their own as likely to have their own children placed in foster care. children placed in foster care.

What are young people aging out of foster What are young people aging out of foster care facing??care facing??

Limited life skills upon discharge from Limited life skills upon discharge from Child Welfare systemChild Welfare system

Child welfare agencies with limited Child welfare agencies with limited housing expertise and resources housing expertise and resources necessary to assist youthnecessary to assist youth

Limited support networksLimited support networks

Harsh economic realitiesHarsh economic realities

Expensive housing costs!!!!Expensive housing costs!!!!

Most Expensive Places for Most Expensive Places for Youth to LiveYouth to Live

Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apartment:

District of Columbia $20.77Hawaii $18.57California $18.11Massachusetts $18.32Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum

wage to afford a one bedroom:District of Columbia 126Hawaii 119California 107Massachusetts 109

Out of Reach 2005, NLIHC

What is the Solution to Prevent Youth

Homelessness??

Solid Collaboration with Public HousingSolid Collaboration with Public Housing

Authorities, Child Welfare Agencies, Authorities, Child Welfare Agencies,

community based agencies, housing community based agencies, housing

officials, business leaders, developers,officials, business leaders, developers,

advocates and YOUTH!advocates and YOUTH!

What Can Be Done at State Level What Can Be Done at State Level to Address Housing Issues?to Address Housing Issues?

Housing Must Be a Significant Component of Housing Must Be a Significant Component of Youth State’s Independent Living CurriculaYouth State’s Independent Living Curricula

Ensure that Your Child Welfare System Builds a Ensure that Your Child Welfare System Builds a Continuum of Housing ResourcesContinuum of Housing Resources

Provide Youth with Opportunities to Practice Provide Youth with Opportunities to Practice Living on their OwnLiving on their Own

Build Statewide Partnerships to Create a Range Build Statewide Partnerships to Create a Range of Affordable Housing Opportunitiesof Affordable Housing Opportunities

Tap into New and Unusual Streams of FundingTap into New and Unusual Streams of Funding

All transitioning and former foster youth All transitioning and former foster youth have the right to safe, stable and have the right to safe, stable and

affordable housing!!!affordable housing!!!

Utilize Chafee Funds Utilize Chafee Funds Give Youth Opportunities To Practice Give Youth Opportunities To Practice Living on Their OwnLiving on Their OwnCreate an Solid, Effective Discharge Plan Create an Solid, Effective Discharge Plan – start the housing discussion early!!!– start the housing discussion early!!!Build partnerships with housing authoritiesBuild partnerships with housing authoritiesForm collaborations in your community – Form collaborations in your community – create cross system dialogue in your create cross system dialogue in your community!community!

What is Chafee?What is Chafee?

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

States have the option of providing room & board services to youth (aged 18-21) exiting care.

Chafee = HousingChafee = Housing

Highlights from a 2004 CWLA Survey ofHighlights from a 2004 CWLA Survey of IL Coordinators IL Coordinators

According to an survey 38 IL Coordinators:According to an survey 38 IL Coordinators: 42%42% (16) of states are currently using FUP or (16) of states are currently using FUP or

priority section 8 voucherspriority section 8 vouchers 60%60% (23) of states reported partnerships and (23) of states reported partnerships and

collaborations with their public housing collaborations with their public housing authorities. These partnerships included authorities. These partnerships included prioritizing section 8 waiting lists, public prioritizing section 8 waiting lists, public housing slots and supportive housing housing slots and supportive housing programs.programs.

What is the Family Unification Program (FUP)?

A housing program for youth and families in the child welfare system. It is a collaboration between housing authorities and child welfare agencies.

As of 2000, FUP was extended to provide time limited section 8 vouchers to youth ages 18-21 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.

Conceptual Framework of the FamilyUnification Program (FUP)

Created on 06/17/03 1:31 PM Created on 06/17/03 1:31 PM Program Resources Organizations Implementation Intervention Outcomes

The Problem:

Youth Aging Out into Homelessness

In October

2000, Congress passed

Legislation making youth aging out of foster care eligible for

housing assistance under FUP

Funding for Section

8 Certificate

Local Housing

Authority (HA)

Coordinate CWA and HA Activities:

Define

Eligibility Criteria and

Referral Process

Enroll and

Serve Youth

Utilize Community

Services

Report Data

Youth Receive Section

8 Housing

Youth

Outcomes:

Access to Services

Residential Stability

Child Welfare Service

s

Other Local

Resources

Local Child

Welfare Agency (CWA)

Youth Receive

After Care Services

Local Service System

Local Services Provided

What are the Benefits of FUP?What are the Benefits of FUP? For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs):For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs):Increased ability to serve clienteleFor Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs):For Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs):Expanded access to housing solutions for young people aging out of foster careFor Youth:For Youth:Safe, stable and affordable housing prior to exiting the foster care systemFor the community: For the community:

Cost-effective and beneficial to society

Establishing a FUP in your community

Begin to ASK questions regarding the Begin to ASK questions regarding the housing needs for young people in your housing needs for young people in your community; consult with your local CWAcommunity; consult with your local CWAMap out current housing resourcesMap out current housing resourcesDocument the need for FUP in your Document the need for FUP in your communitycommunityApproach your partner (PHA, CWA) to Approach your partner (PHA, CWA) to exchange ideas, observations, potential exchange ideas, observations, potential partners, sources of funding and plans.partners, sources of funding and plans.

Establishing a FUP in your community cont..

If there are no FUP vouchers available in If there are no FUP vouchers available in your communityyour community Dedicate a reasonable # of Section 8 Dedicate a reasonable # of Section 8

vouchers to this program – set a local vouchers to this program – set a local preference for “youth aging out” preference for “youth aging out”

Build the Partnership!!Build the Partnership!!

Gain an understanding of the mission and Gain an understanding of the mission and limitations of your partner agencylimitations of your partner agencyLay out and agree upon the Lay out and agree upon the responsibilities of each partner agencyresponsibilities of each partner agencySpecify the type and duration of services Specify the type and duration of services to the young people upon lease-upto the young people upon lease-upWrite a detailed Memorandum of Write a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – Included in your Understanding (MOU) – Included in your packet!packet!

Elements of an Effective Elements of an Effective PartnershipPartnership

Liaisons are appointedReliable Communication – learn each others languageHold Regular MeetingsCross-TrainingStaff SupportAdditional Partners are invitedAdditional Funding is sought Feedback is solicited from program participants

Building a Partnership in Building a Partnership in Your CommunityYour Community

Understand mission & Understand mission & limitations of the partner limitations of the partner agenciesagencies

Create youth housing continuumCreate youth housing continuum

Write a detailed Memorandum of Write a detailed Memorandum of UnderstandingUnderstanding

Some States Using the FUP Model to Some States Using the FUP Model to Support Youth Aging OutSupport Youth Aging Out

ColoradoColorado

CaliforniaCalifornia

New York CityNew York City

IndianaIndiana

Benefits of Partnerships & Benefits of Partnerships & CollaborationsCollaborations

Cross System Dialogue

More Effective Communication

Improved Services for Young People

Decreased Homelessness for Emancipated Youth

Advocating for youth exiting the Advocating for youth exiting the child welfare system is an child welfare system is an integral part of preventing integral part of preventing

homelessness!homelessness!

Using Your Voice to Change Using Your Voice to Change Minds...Change lives!Minds...Change lives!