The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act will increase access to housing for youth aging out of foster care, without increasing federal spending
WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) released the following statement after reintroducing the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act:
“Aging out of foster care should not mean aging into homelessness. The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act will remove obstacles blocking these vulnerable youths’ access to safe housing during their overnight transition into adulthood. When we provide young adults the tools to succeed we can create a better future and place them on a path to stable, independent lives.”
Endorsed in the 114th Congress by:
National Center for Housing and Child Welfare
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies
Lighthouse Youth Services (Ohio)
Center of Vocational Alternatives (COVA) (Ohio)
Ohio Youth Advisory Board (YAB) leadership
Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now (ACTION) Ohio leadership
Central Missouri Foster Care & Adoption Association
In a letter of support Lisa Dickson, Communications Chair of ACTION Ohio stated:
“The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act is not only brilliant, it is long overdue. The time is now to make this Act a reality. It offers a creative solution to help, with no additional spending required, by (a.) allowing foster care youth who are at risk of “aging out” of foster care to apply for housing assistance when they reach 16 years old, and (b.) allowing them to jump to the front of the waitlist when they are about to “age out” of foster care.”
The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act addresses the issue of aging out of foster care and into homelessness with two meaningful reforms to housing assistance programs for youth at risk:
Early application: Minors will be able to apply for housing assistance upon reaching 16 years of age, prior to aging out of foster care.
Priority Preference: When a minor reaches the point 6 months prior to aging out of foster care, he/she will automatically receive a priority preference for housing assistance, allowing the minor aging out of foster care to jump to the front of the waitlist.
