BEATTY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP PREVENT HOMELESSNESS AMONG FOSTER YOUTH

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03), Don Bacon (NE-02), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Mike Carey (OH-15) in introducing the bipartisan Housing Opportunities for Moving to Empowerment (HOME) for Foster Youth Act, legislation to help foster youth access stable housing as they transition into adulthood.

The bill streamlines access to housing assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program, helping vulnerable young people secure housing before they experience homelessness.

Across the country, nearly one in four foster youth experience homelessness within four years of aging out of care, and roughly 50% of the nation's homeless population has spent time in the foster care system.

"Too often, the foster care system fails to set young people up for success as independent adults," said Congresswoman Beatty. "Having a home is not a privilege, it is a basic right that everyone deserves. I'm proud to introduce this bill to streamline the Foster Youth to Independence program and allow young people a safe transition into adulthood. Every child should have the security of a stable home and opportunity to build a successful future."

The HOME for Foster Youth Act improves and streamlines the FYI voucher program by:

• Extending the voucher application window from 90 to 180 days before a youth exits foster care
• Removing duplicative language requiring foster youth to already be homeless or at risk of homelessness to qualify for assistance
• Clarifying that Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) are excluded from income calculations for FYI voucher eligibility
• Strengthening coordination between HUD and HHS to improve access to housing assistance for foster youth

In 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program to help foster youth secure stable housing as they transition into adulthood. However, a HUD Office of Inspector General report found that only 31% of FYI vouchers are currently utilized due to inconsistent implementation and administrative barriers.

Congresswoman Beatty has long championed policies that expand affordable housing and housing stability for vulnerable populations. The HOME for Foster Youth Act builds on her efforts to ensure every young person has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

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