The Foster Youth to Independence
Helping youth leaving foster care
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). Under FYI, PHAs provide housing assistance on behalf of:
Youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act and (FYI VOUCHERS FOR THE FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE, n.d.) are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.
As required by statute, an FYI voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 36 months.
In addition to providing up to 36 months of rental assistance, youth must be provided supportive services to assist the young person on their path to self-sufficiency.
Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Commission has partnership with Lutheran Social Services for the supportive services needed to assist the youth in our community.