Senate report language accompanying HUD’s 2009 Appropriation directed the Secretary to “conduct an evaluation of the housing models that are most effective in preventing and ending homelessness for youth aged 16-24.” 

HUD chose to focus this research effort on the housing needs of the over 25,000 youth who “age out” of the foster care system each year.  Data on the number of youth experiencing homelessness each year are both fragmented and sparse, but research on this population indicates that youth may be the single age group most at risk of homelessness.  The Family Unification Program (FUP) is the only federal program that explicitly provides housing assistance for youth aging out of foster care, but until this time, little was known about the extent to which communities are utilizing FUP to serve youth, and the challenges and benefits to doing so.

To learn more, click the link below!

Links

• Housing for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
• Review of Literature and Program Typology
• Main Report
• Issue Brief: Evaluating Housing Programs for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
• The Family Unification Program