Resources

This webinar featured a study from the Transition-Age Youth Research and Evaluation Hub (TAY-Hub), which conducted an analysis linking CalYOUTH and state administrative data to better understand how extended foster care and the types of placements young people receive shape their risk of homelessness.

This webinar provided a virtual policy update for California stakeholders on the federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) voucher program, joined by a representative from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite sweeping federal cuts, funding remains for FYI vouchers, which provide 3-5 years of subsidized rent coupled with supportive services to former foster youth. The webinar reviewed the status of FYI at the federal level, the role of the program in California, and April 2025 HUD guidance which introduced reforms to improve access and flexibility.

Between 2021 and 2024, California’s capacity to serve former foster youth through supportive transitional housing and federal housing vouchers has increased by 70%, reaching more than 3,700 youth at a moment in time. This report discusses this increase in capacity, related findings and recommendations.

Between 2021 and 2024, California’s capacity to provide former foster youth with transitional housing and housing vouchers increased by 70%, reaching more than 3,700 youth at a point in time as of 2024. This report analyzes this expansion, making findings and offering recommendations for counties and the state.

This webinar marked the release of publication providing providing county child welfare agencies and Public Housing Authorities with recommended best practices for local administration of special purpose Housing Choice Vouchers for former foster youth. These vouchers are available through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative and the Family Unification Program (FUP).

This resource provides county child welfare agencies and Public Housing Authorities with recommended best practices for local administration of special purpose Housing Choice Vouchers for former foster youth. These vouchers are available through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative and the Family Unification Program (FUP).

This publication summarizes findings of a survey of county child welfare agencies that partner with their local Public Housing Authority to provide Special Purpose Housing Choice Vouchers to former foster youth. The purpose of the survey was to determine the potential impact of the proposed elimination of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program in the 2024-25 state budget. Counties commonly use this funding to assist youth with federal vouchers with securing housing with their voucher.

The 2024-25 California state budget continues annual funding for the $13.7 million Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program, after it was proposed for elimination in response to California’s budget deficit. HNMP is the only designated funding for housing navigation and services for the more than 1,300 former foster youth with federal Housing Choice Vouchers. This fact sheet provides additional information about this funding.

In response to the Newsom Administration’s elimination of the SILP Housing Supplement established in 2023 which would have increased monthly SILP payments based on local cost of housing, an alternative was negotiated resulting in a statewide increase to monthly SILP payments within the California Department of Social Services’ forthcoming foster care rate reform. The 2024-25 California state budget includes funding to begin automation for this sweeping rate reform. This fact sheet provides more information about the increased SILP payments under rate reform.

This webinar discussed the findings and recommendations from a report on the current state of two specialized federal Housing Choice Vouchers for transitioning foster youth in California: Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) and Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers.