Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI)

Youth at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years old who left foster care at age 16 or older or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and are homeless or at risk of homelessness

Public housing agencies (PHAs) administer FYI in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). The PCWA initially determines if the youth/young adult meets the FYI eligibility requirements, certifies that they are eligible, and refers them to the PHA. Once the PCWA makes the referral, the PHA places the FYI applicant on its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list and determines whether they meet HCV program eligibility requirements, including income eligibility. The PHA conducts all other processes relating to voucher issuance and administration. In addition to rental assistance, supportive services must be provided to FYI participants by the PCWA for the first 18 months that they participate in the program. Examples of the skills targeted by these services include money management skills, job preparation, educational counseling, and proper nutrition and meal preparation.

FYI vouchers used by participant are limited, by statute, to 36 months of housing assistance. Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO) provides an FYI participant an extension of the 36-month time limit for up to an additional 24 months if they meet certain requirements.

• Agency/Affiliation: Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Website: www.hud.gov/hud-partners/public-indian-housing-fyi
• Email: fyi@hud.gov

The goals of Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI) are:

• Prevent and reduce homelessness among young adults who are transitioning out of the foster care system
• Provide a safe and stable environment for young adults to achieve self-sufficiency

The essential components of Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI) include:

• Rental assistance in the form of a housing choice voucher
• Supportive services such as job preparation, money management, educational counseling
• Interpretative language services should be available at the Public Health Agency

Child/Adolescent Services

Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI) directly provides services to children and addresses the following:

• Young adults 18-24 years of age who left foster care at age 16 or older or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and are homeless or are at risk of homelessness

Recommended Intensity

Vouchers issued to youth are time-limited and encourage self-sufficiency and participation in the workforce.

Recommended Duration

Youth receive housing assistance for 36 months, unless the youth meets the requirements to extend assistance under the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO). Under these amendments, youth may receive up to an additional 24 months of assistance if they meet certain requirements, including participation in a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program or engagement in education, workforce development, or employment activities.

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Other

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Office workers to receive and process the applications. Staff to provide supportive services if provided.

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

Only Public Housing Authorities can administer this program.

Manual Information

There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Program Manual(s)

This is a federal program that Public Housing Agencies can apply to implement. For more information on the program, please see this webpage that describes program specifics: https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/public-indian-housing-fyi

Training Information

There is no training available for this program.

• There are currently no published, peer-reviewed research studies on outcomes with the appropriate target population for the topic area(s) in which Foster Youth to Independence Initiative has been reviewed.

There are currently no references available for Foster Youth to Independence Initiative.