Press Releases

Moore, LaHood Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Housing for Foster Youth

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) introduced the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act. This legislation aims to help youth transitioning out of foster care obtain housing by partnering with states and local services to better coordinate housing vouchers and opportunities.   

“We must boost investments in our foster youth and foster families. That is one of my priorities as co-chair of the bipartisan Caucus on Foster Youth, and why I joined Rep. LaHood in introducing the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act. Our bill would help improve coordination between existing housing programs at HUD and child welfare systems while providing states more flexibility to use Chafee funds to help cover housing-related costs and services for foster youth as they age out. These efforts will better support foster youth and their long-term stability,” said Congresswoman Moore. 

"As Chairman of the Work and Welfare Subcommittee, I take seriously our responsibility to ensure that future generations have the best chance to succeed," said Congressman LaHood. "I thank Congresswoman Moore for her leadership and joining me to introduce the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act to better help youth transitioning out of foster care find stable housing. We must continue our work to uplift the most vulnerable among us and provide them with resources to pursue the American Dream."

 Bill Highlights:

• Improves access to housing by strengthening coordination with federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers available through public housing agencies.
• Allows Chafee funds to be used for housing supportive services outside of the existing 30% cap on “room or board,” provides flexibility to determine the cap based on a rolling average over five years, and aligns age eligibility with FYI vouchers.

Background:

• Nearly 35 percent of former foster youth experienced homelessness by age 21. Lack of stable housing is one of the biggest barriers to adulthood for transition-age foster youth.
• The Foster Youth Housing Act clarifies that the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee) is intended to strengthen coordination between federal housing and child welfare programs.

 The full text to the legislation can be found here.