By Karen S. Carter
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 3:25 pm
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Children in the foster care system have different programs available to them when they transition out of the system. Not all the programs are available in Pacific County, but one of the programs called the Foster Youth to Independence Voucher is supported in the county.
The program is part of the Systems of Care Section of the Adolescent Programs (AP) Division of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
"AP Housing works with community partners to ensure that eligible young people prepare early for the transitions they make into emerging adulthood," said Adolescent Housing Program Manager Greg Williamson. "We help them experience supported transitions into safe, stable, and appropriate housing when they leave foster care placement, and enter the next phase of our care. We also help eligible families to access housing that supports them being with their children."
Williamson works with children that are aging out of foster care to ensure that they have access to housing. This is done through providing the transitioning youth with housing vouchers, but it only works when there is housing available.
"In general, housing needs statewide and especially in rural communities are outpacing housing availability," Williamson said. "Rents are increasing. Having a housing voucher doesn't guarantee that someone can get into rental housing."
According to a 2020 report from the Office of Homeless Youth, 9% of foster youth are homeless 3 months after they exit out of the system. 29% are homeless after one year. COVID-19 has only made these statistics worse by revealing a shortage of homes.
"So, for our foster care clients, housing is a priority, support in getting into that housing is essential, and the HUD FYI voucher is a meaningful effort to help create solutions," said Williamson. "DCYF is particularly interested in working with community partners to use federal housing vouchers to support the creation of housing where none currently exists, whether in larger developments or with smaller property owners on a one-on-one basis."
The FYI Housing voucher provides for 36 months of rent to young people who are at least 18 years of age, but not over 24 years of age who have left foster care.
"In order for a community to offer the program (for one young person or for up to 75 in each housing authority jurisdiction), there needs to be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department, the Public Housing Authority, and the community organizations that are agreeing to offer supportive services," he continued. "The Housing Authority is responsible to apply to HUD to get vouchers for eligible young people, and to issue vouchers to eligible young people. DCYF is responsible for determining each young person's eligibility."
Other partners are needed who can provide supportive services to the young people. They include:
Basic life skills information/counseling on money management, use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition/meal preparation; and access to health care (e.g., doctors, medication, and mental and behavioral health services).
Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with Housing Choice Voucher program participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance on security deposits, utility hook-up fees, and utility deposits.
Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to assist eligible youth to rent a unit with a voucher.
Job preparation and attainment counseling (where to look/how to apply, dress, grooming, and relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.).
Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED); attendance/financing of education at a technical school, trade school or college; including successful work ethic and attitude models.
"So, groups in the community which can offer support in these areas can be important partners to help the program work for the young people transitioning into self-sufficiency," he said.
People who have questions about the AP Housing Program can contact Williamson at greg.williamson@dcyf.wa.gov. Questions related to other DCYF Adolescent Programs for young people in who are in foster care, or juvenile rehabilitation, or programs for young parents (including education or higher education, careers, youth empowerment, emerging adulthood, missing and exploited youth, adolescent prevention, or extended foster care) can contact program staff by sending an email to: dcyf.adolescentprograms@dcyf.wa.gov.