New Program Aims To End Homelessness After Foster Care

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — More than 25% of former foster children become homeless within two to four years of leaving foster care, according to national data. An even higher percentage experience unsafe or unstable living situations.

Foster Youth to Independence is a new housing assistance program in the Virgin Islands that aims to prevent homelessness among teenagers and young adults coming out of the foster system.

The program, developed by the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership with the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA), will help youth who have aged out of the foster care system find and secure stable housing.

Here's how it works: participants in the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative can now apply for Housing Choice Vouchers which they can use to secure their own housing. With Housing Choice Vouchers, individuals have more housing options available to them. They can rent a house, a townhouse, or an apartment without being limited to subsidized housing projects. Of course, the owner of the property must be willing to accept Housing Choice Vouchers.

In addition to helping young adults apply for the Housing Choice Vouchers, the FYI program will also help individuals find and apply for housing.

In order to qualify, individuals must be 18 to 24 years old and have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days. Only individuals referred to VIHA by the DHS Division of Children and Family Services can apply for the FYI program.

In addition to the rental assistance, participants will be provided with supportive services to help them on their path to self-sufficiency. These supportive services may include:

1. Basic life skills information: Money management counseling, credit etiquette, housekeeping, nutrition / meal preparation, and healthcare access.

2. Compliance counseling with rental lease requirements and with HCV program participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance with: Security deposits, utility installation fees and utility deposits.

3. Job preparation and attainment counseling: Where to look / how to apply, dress / grooming, and relationship skills with supervisors and personnel, etc.

4. Educational and career advancement counseling: Attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED), maintaining attendance, financing of education at a technical school / trade school / college, and successful work ethic training and attitude models.

The DHS Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently working to identify and refer eligible youth to VIHA for certification and eligibility and to connect them to resources and support services.

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