HUD Awards $10M to Help Former Foster Youth Pay Rent and Help Families Avoid Foster Care
In December, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $10 million to help prevent or end homelessness among former or soon-to-be former foster youth and to prevent children from being placed in foster care primarily because of insufficient housing.
This funding, offered through HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP), provides 13 public housing authorities (PHAs) with 625 housing vouchers for eligible youth and families. PHAs administer the vouchers in partnership with public child welfare agencies and Continuums of Care.
FUP vouchers have no time limit for families, but there is a 36-month time limit for youth unless certain requirements are met for a 24-month extension.
In addition to rental assistance, youth must receive supportive services for 36 months to help them build life skills, such as money management, job preparation, educational counseling, proper nutrition, and meal preparation.