Transcript Funding Innovations for Housing Youth Roxana Torrico, MSW Child Welfare League of America National Alliance to End Homelessness 2006 Conference Ending Homelessness: Plan, Act, Succeed “A house.

Funding Innovations for
Housing Youth
Roxana Torrico, MSW
Child 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
Becoming Homeless
As many as three in ten homeless
adults were formerly children in
foster care;
Between 10–36% 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
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 2005, NLIHC
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!
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!
Chafee = Housing
States have the
option of providing
room & board
services to youth
(aged 18-21) exiting
care.
Highlights from a 2004 CWLA Survey of
IL Coordinators
According to an survey 38 IL Coordinators:
 42% (16) of states are currently using FUP or
priority section 8 vouchers
 60% (23) of states reported partnerships and
collaborations with their public housing
authorities. These partnerships included
prioritizing section 8 waiting lists, public
housing slots and supportive housing
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 Family
Unification Program (FUP)
The Problem:
Youth Aging Out into
Created on 06/17/03 1:31 PM
Homelessness
Created on 06/17/03 1:31 PM
In October
2000,
Congress
passed
Legislation
making youth
aging out of
foster care
eligible for
housing
assistance
under FUP
Funding
for Secti on
8
Certificate
Child
Welfare
Service
s
Other
Local
Resource
s
Program
Resources
Local
Housing
Authority
(HA)
Local
Child
Welfare
Agency
(CW A)
Coordinate
CW A and HA
Activities:
Define
Eligibility
Criteria and
Referral
Process
Enroll and
Serve Youth
Utilize
Community
Services
Report Data
Youth
Receive
Section
8
Housing
Youth
Receive
After Care
Services
Youth
Outcomes:
Access to
Services
Residential
Stability
Local
Services
Provided
Local
Service
System
Organizations
Implementation
Intervention
Outcomes
What are the Benefits of FUP?
For Public Housing Authorities (PHAs):
Increased ability to serve clientele
For Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs):
Expanded access to housing solutions for young
people aging out of foster care
For Youth:
Safe, stable and affordable housing prior to
exiting the foster care system
For the community:
Cost-effective and beneficial to society
Establishing a FUP in
your community
Begin to ASK questions regarding the
housing needs for young people in your
community; consult with your local CWA
Map out current housing resources
Document the need for FUP in your
community
Approach your partner (PHA, CWA) to
exchange ideas, observations, potential
partners, sources of funding and plans.
Establishing a FUP in
your community cont..
If there are no FUP vouchers available in
your community

Dedicate a reasonable # of Section 8
vouchers to this program – set a local
preference for “youth aging out”
Build the Partnership!!
Gain an understanding of the mission and
limitations of your partner agency
Lay out and agree upon the
responsibilities of each partner agency
Specify the type and duration of services
to the young people upon lease-up
Write a detailed Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) – Included in your
packet!
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
Building a Partnership in
Your Community
Understand mission & limitations
of the partner agencies
Create youth housing continuum
Write a detailed Memorandum of
Understanding
Some States Using the FUP Model to
Support Youth Aging Out
Colorado
California
New York City
Indiana
Benefits of Partnerships &
Collaborations
Cross System Dialogue

More Effective Communication

Improved Services for Young People

Decreased Homelessness for
Emancipated Youth
Using Your Voice to Change
Minds...Change lives!
Advocating for youth exiting the
child welfare system is an
integral part of preventing
homelessness!