The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare is compiling a list of organizations and individuals who support the revised version of the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2019 (FSHO), legislation written and refined by foster youth in partnership with elected officials as well as local, state, and federal housing advocacy organizations.  FSHO will offer Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) to all young people leaving foster care who are at risk of homelessness.

The vouchers & services to support youth in stable housing will be limited to 36 months - but youth may voluntarily participate in self-sufficiency services to extend the voucher for an additional two years (for a total of five).  You may have heard of HUD's recent FYI Initiative.  This is FYI plus two years of subsidy and supportive services!  Also, you may know that last year's bill was met with some concerns about work and school requirements.  This recent version has been revised considerably by the young people and their allies on Capitol Hill in response to these concerns - and the product is much-improved! Please consider expressing your agency's support of the young people's hard work, youth voice, and housing stability for all former foster youth by Wednesday September 9, 2019.  

The House Bill (HR 4300) introduced by Reps. Dean, Turner, Stivers, and Bass passed the House by voice vote (unanimously!) on November 18, 2019.  

The Senate Bill (S 2803) was introduced by Sens. Grassley and Brown and could be moved quickly to a unanimous consent vote THIS WEEK (December 16-20, 2019).  If you are so inclined, please express your support (or that of your organization by filling out this form.  Also, please call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be transferred to your Senator's office.  You could say, "please ask Sen. Smith to co-sponsor The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act (S. 2803) this week and move it to a vote next week."

For more information email rwhite@nchcw.org.

Thank you for your support of this hard work by America's foster youth to protect their brothers and sisters in care!