New Brief Finds Loss of Housing Navigation Funds Will Result in Fewer Housing Vouchers for Foster Youth

The proposed elimination of the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) in the Newsom Administration’s January budget would likely result in halts to new Housing Choice Vouchers for former foster youth in nearly half (47%) of counties that offer them, according to a February 2024 survey

The survey was administered by John Burton Advocates for Youth to county child welfare agencies that partner with their Public Housing Authorities to administer federal Housing Choice Vouchers through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) and/or Family Unification Program (FUP). Counties responded representing 65% of the former foster youth with these federal FYI/FUP vouchers. The $13.7 million in state funding provided through HNMP helps California access more than $22 million in federal housing assistance through FYI/FUP vouchers.

The survey determined that nearly all counties (93%) use HNMP to fund supportive services for youth with an FYI/FUP voucher. Respondents indicated that in 80% of counties, HNMP is the only source of funding to provide housing navigation and supportive services to youth with housing vouchers. Learn more about advocacy to preserve HNMP here.

Blueprint For Success Conference Soliciting Workshop Proposals.

The Blueprint Conference is back for 2024, taking place on October 28/29 at the Westin LAX in Los Angeles. This professional development opportunity will feature a range of workshops designed to highlight best practices relevant to campus support program staff, K-12 partners, policymakers, child welfare professionals, caregivers, community‐based providers and other stakeholders who support foster youth to succeed in college and beyond.

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is soliciting proposals for workshops targeted to a range of stakeholders. Scholarships will also be provided for 80 students with experience in foster care to attend and so JBAY is also seeking proposals for workshops targeted directly to youth. More information about youth scholarships will be made available in mid-May and registration will open in July. To learn more about submitting a workshop proposal, click here.

California Receives Additional $15 million for Independent Living and Chafee Grant Programs

Each year the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) provides states the opportunity to request Chafee funds that remain unused by other states to help ensure that these funds are maximized. The reallocation for the 2023 fiscal year was particularly large because it includes unused funds from the $400 million in Chafee funds that was allocated pursuant to the Division X of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2021 during the pandemic.

While California’s general Chafee allocation for federal FY 2023 was a little over $16 million, the state also received an additional $15 million in reallocated Chafee funds. CDSS is distributing those additional funds directly to county Independent Living Programs (ILP) and these programs will have until September 30, 2024, to obligate those funds and until January 2025 to fully spend the funds. California also received an additional allocation of $562,242 for the Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program that provides grants to youth attending college.

Upcoming Webinars, Training, and Events

• Coalition to Protect Foster Youth in the State Budget
• Celebrate JBAY's 20th Anniversary and California State Senator John L. Burton (Ret.)
• 2024 Blueprint For Success Conference

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