Improving Housing Options for Youth in Transition

Roxana Torrico, MSWChild 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 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 12 – 36% of former Between 12 – 36% of former foster care youth are foster care youth are experiencing homelessness. .experiencing 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 Live on their OwnYouth to Live on their Own

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 2003, NLIHC

SO HOW MUCH DOES A YOUTH HAVE TO EARN TO SO HOW MUCH DOES A YOUTH HAVE TO EARN TO LIVE IN YOUR STATE?LIVE IN YOUR STATE?

Hourly wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom apt:California California $18.11 $18.11

IllinoisIllinois $13.41$13.41

FloridaFlorida $13.21$13.21

Michigan Michigan $11.52$11.52

MinnesotaMinnesota $11.94$11.94

South CarolinaSouth Carolina $9.99 $9.99

Hours that a youth would have to work at minimum wage to afford a one bedroom apt:California California 107 107

IllinoisIllinois 8383

FloridaFlorida 8686

Michigan Michigan 8989

MinnesotaMinnesota 7878

South CarolinaSouth Carolina 7878

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!

Funding Resources for Youth Housing

Chafee FundingFamily Unification Program (FUP)HOME fundsHUD (a variety of options)TANFWelfare to Work fundsCombination of Private & Public funds

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 to youth (aged 18-21) exiting care.

Chafee increases state accountability for outcomes for young people exiting care.

Chafee = HousingChafee = Housing

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

According to a CWLA survey of 38 IL Coordinators:According to a CWLA survey of 38 IL Coordinators:

11 states report using 30% of their Chafee funds for room & 11 states report using 30% of their Chafee funds for room & board services board services

2 states reported using 0% (these states use other funding for 2 states reported using 0% (these states use other funding for room & board servicesroom & board services

26 states reported using only Chafee funds for youth age 18 and 26 states reported using only Chafee funds for youth age 18 and overover

24 states indicated 30% of Chafee funds was sufficient to meet 24 states indicated 30% of Chafee funds was sufficient to meet the needs of youth aging outthe needs of youth aging out

22 states indicated the use of FUP or priority 22 states indicated the use of FUP or priority Section 8Section 8

23 states reported that state or county child welfare agencies are 23 states reported that state or county child welfare agencies are partnering with public housing authorities to serve youth (i.e, partnering with public housing authorities to serve youth (i.e, Standard Section 8, public housing slots, etc.)Standard Section 8, public housing slots, etc.)

How Are States Using How Are States Using their Chafee $$$?their Chafee $$$?

Case management servicesCase management services

First month’s rent, security First month’s rent, security depositsdeposits

Emergency rental assistanceEmergency rental assistance

Time-limited rental subsidiesTime-limited rental subsidies

Furniture and household needsFurniture 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 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 Family Unification 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

Benefits of CW & PHA Benefits of CW & PHA CollaborationsCollaborations

For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs):For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs): Increased ability to serve clienteleIncreased ability to serve clientele

For Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs):For Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs):Expanded Access to housing solutions for Expanded Access to housing solutions for

youth aging out of foster care and their youth aging out of foster care and their caseworkerscaseworkers

For Youth: For Youth: Safe, stable & affordable housing Safe, stable & affordable housing & stability upon discharge from FC& stability upon discharge from FC

For the Community: For the Community: Most cost-effective & Most cost-effective & beneficial to societybeneficial to society

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

What is FUP’s current status?What is FUP’s current status?

CWLA and other national organizations CWLA and other national organizations continue to advocate for the release of continue to advocate for the release of more FUP vouchers. Unfortunately, more FUP vouchers. Unfortunately, vouchers have not been rewarded since vouchers have not been rewarded since 2001. However, communities have 2001. However, communities have continued to develop local partnerships continued to develop local partnerships between CWAs & PHAs to serve youth between CWAs & PHAs to serve youth aging out of care.aging out of care.

States Using FUP model/Priority States Using FUP model/Priority Section 8 for youth:Section 8 for youth:

Some examples of states serving youth with Some examples of states serving youth with these models:these models:

ColoradoColorado

New York New York

California California

Indiana Indiana

OhioOhio

The HOME Program

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

The HOME ProgramThe HOME Program

The HOME program is more flexible than The HOME program is more flexible than previous federal housing programs, as it previous federal housing programs, as it gives more control & authority over federal gives more control & authority over federal housing funding to state and local housing housing funding to state and local housing officials allowing for more creativity and officials allowing for more creativity and flexibility.flexibility.

Decisions about how HOME funds are Decisions about how HOME funds are used are left to state and local used are left to state and local government officials.government officials.

The HOME ProgramThe HOME Program

HOME funds can be used to:

Build, buy, and renovate rental housing;Build, buy, and renovate rental housing;

Finance homeownership opportunities;Finance homeownership opportunities;

Repair homes, including making building Repair homes, including making building physically accessible; orphysically accessible; or

Provide rental subsidies to eligible Provide rental subsidies to eligible households.households.

Distribution of HOME funds

HUD distributes HOME funds every year HUD distributes HOME funds every year to all 50 states and to more than 500 to all 50 states and to more than 500 eligible localities (HOME participating eligible localities (HOME participating jurisdictions). jurisdictions).

Communities that do not receive HOME Communities that do not receive HOME funds directly from HUD can obtain HOME funds directly from HUD can obtain HOME funding through the state’s HOME funding through the state’s HOME program. program.

The HOME ProgramTenant based rental assistance can be used to Tenant based rental assistance can be used to assist youth during their transition out of the assist youth during their transition out of the foster care system.foster care system.

Tenants pay a portion of their income for rent Tenants pay a portion of their income for rent (generally 30% of adjusted gross income) and (generally 30% of adjusted gross income) and HOME funds pay the difference.HOME funds pay the difference.

The rental assistance is time-limited, but can be The rental assistance is time-limited, but can be renewed if additional HOME funds are available.renewed if additional HOME funds are available.

Examples of StatesExamples of States using HOME funds for youth using HOME funds for youth aging out: Florida, California aging out: Florida, California

State Housing AgenciesState Housing Agencies

States Housing Agencies administer a States Housing Agencies administer a number of housing funding streams, number of housing funding streams, including HOME & Low-income Housing including HOME & Low-income Housing Tax Credits Tax Credits

For more information about State Housing For more information about State Housing Agencies, go to www.ncsha.orgAgencies, go to www.ncsha.org

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 ProgramsPromising Programs Lighthouse Youth Services (Cincinnati, OH)Lighthouse Youth Services (Cincinnati, OH)

Housing ContinuumHousing Continuum Orangewood Rising Tide Community-Orangewood Rising Tide Community-

State Multifamily Housing ProgramState Multifamily Housing Program San Diego and Butte CountiesSan Diego and Butte Counties (CHECK!!)(CHECK!!)

HOME FundsHOME Funds Illinois Dept of Children & FamiliesIllinois Dept of Children & Families

Youth Housing Program NJ Shared….

Promising Program in CaliforniaPromising Program in California

LaVerne Adolfo Housing Programs for LaVerne Adolfo Housing Programs for Former Foster Youth in Sacramento, Former Foster Youth in Sacramento, CaliforniaCalifornia

Transitional housing - HOME and Private funding for Transitional housing - HOME and Private funding for development of the program. Chafee and Welfare to development of the program. Chafee and Welfare to Work funds for program operations.Work funds for program operations.

Permanent housing- HUD supportive housing Permanent housing- HUD supportive housing program, Welfare to Work, Shelter + Care, Housing program, Welfare to Work, Shelter + Care, Housing Choice vouchers for development of the programs Choice vouchers for development of the programs and HUD Supportive Housing and Welfare to Work and HUD Supportive Housing and Welfare to Work for program operations. for program operations.

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

Mix Public and Private Funds to Support Housing

ProgramsBe creative!Be creative!

Think outside the box!Think outside the box!

Meet with members from every discipline Meet with members from every discipline within the community and analyze within the community and analyze possible funding streams possible funding streams Pull from and blend HUD resources, state Pull from and blend HUD resources, state

resources, Chafee funds, Welfare to Work resources, Chafee funds, Welfare to Work funds, funds from foundations, charities, funds, funds from foundations, charities, trusts, auctions, etc. trusts, auctions, etc.

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!