Resources
About
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Program is a specialized initiative by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides dedicated rental assistance and supportive services to young adults transitioning out of the foster care system who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.
The program provides 36-month Housing Choice Vouchers to prevent or end homelessness for young people who are aging out of or have recently exited the foster care system. Think of Us set out to understand young people’s experiences with the FYI Initiative, document what they shared, and translate their insights into concrete recommendations for the agencies, policymakers, and practitioners responsible for the program.
The Population
We heard from young people with direct experience navigating the FYI voucher process. This included young adults ages 18-24 who:
- Were using an FYI voucher
- Had received a voucher but were not currently using it
- Had applied for a voucher but did not receive one
Our engagement included:
- Surveys: 104 young people across 16 states and Washington, D.C.
- Interviews: 15 in-depth interviews across five states and Washington, D.C.
The Report
This report is organized around the way young people experience the program: as a journey. It follows five stages:
- Preparing to transition out of care
- Learning about the FYI voucher
- Applying for the voucher
- Finding housing
- Maintaining stable housing
Summary of Recommendations
