Young people who age out of foster care may face unique obstacles as they prepare to leave care and begin their adult lives. Housing stability is particularly crucial for a young person’s success, so it is important that young people receive thoughtful transition planning and support. These resources provide strategies to help youth transitioning out of care locate and maintain safe and affordable housing. State and local examples are included.
Building Partnerships to Support Stable Housing for Child Welfare-Involved Families and Youth
Examining a Drop-in and Case Management Model for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (2022)
Assesses whether YouthLink’s enhanced and supportive case management model for youth experiencing homelessness resulted in improved outcomes over 6 years, and aspects of the model that contributed to successful intervention.
Housing
Project Life
Provides questions to help youth determine if they are prepared to find stable, affordable housing after aging out of foster care. The page also describes different types of housing resources that may be available to youth.
HUD’s Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Provides housing assistance to youth aging out of the foster care system who are at extreme risk of homelessness. The program offers housing vouchers to public housing authorities to prevent or end homelessness for young adults under 25 who have aged out of the foster care system.
Older Youth Housing, Financial Literacy and Other Supports
National Conference of State Legislators (2020)
Identifies national and State efforts and supports to help youth transition from foster care, including helping youth secure stable housing, promoting financial literacy, extending foster care, and more.
Positive Changes in FY2021: Universal FUP Vouchers for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Berg (2021)
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Describes rent subsidies available to youth aging out of foster care through the Family Unification Program, which has been expanded to cover more transitioning youth.
Stable Housing Can Launch Youth Leaving Foster Care on a Path to Success
Shroyer & Brennan (2019)
Provides research on the benefits of stable housing for young people as they exit the foster care system, national housing programs and support strategies, and examples of promising jurisdictions around the country.
What Available Supports and Resources Are in Place for Youth Transitioning From Foster Care?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau (2021)
Describes services and resources that can assist older youth transitioning out of foster care into adulthood, including housing assistance.
State and local examples
Housing and Homelessness
National Foster Youth Institute
Describes an effort in Los Angeles County, CA, to make affordable housing available to youth in foster care and those transitioning out of care.
Housing Resources
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Foster Youth in Transition
Presents information on renting and finding affordable housing for youth in foster care in Michigan.
My Path Forward
Better Housing Coalition (2020)
Describes the collaborative program that provides young people aging out of Virginia’s foster care system with housing, crucial support services, and counseling supports. The page also provides statistics on youth aging out of foster care in Virginia.
Preventing and Ending Homelessness for Justice Involved Youth in Minnesota (PDF - 350 KB)
CSH (2018)
Provides information and tools on how to work with community providers and young adults during their transition to adulthood.
A Sense of Home
Provides homes for youth aging out of foster care who need housing assistance.