You can help transition aged youth with housing.
Get Connected
DFPS provides regional assistance and each region has a housing liaison. This is your primary contact person to learn about the housing plan, housing options, and available housing programs. Please discuss your housing plan with the regional housing liaison prior to starting an application to review availability, processes, and timelines. This will save you time and ensure everyone is on the same page.
All referrals for the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher Program must be referred to the appropriate regional housing liaison. The liaison will verify foster care involvement and application eligibility.
Get Real
DFPS has created a housing plan for workers to assist with the preparation and planning for housing. The housing plan is a resource tool, a youth engagement strategy, and it provides a roadmap to secure housing. There is no emergency housing. To secure a safe and affordable home requires planning and preparation. It can also take time.
Resources: Housing Readiness Almost 18 Step-by-Step Housing Guide Housing Plan
Overall Housing Process
The DFPS Housing Program is evolving. The goals are to secure housing for as many transition aged youth as possible and to prevent and end homelessness. Housing takes time and preparation.
The housing plan is the starting point in the process. The housing plan is a resource tool and a youth engagement strategy. The plan allows you to discuss goals and desired locations with transition aged youth, review housing readiness and housing needs, and explore housing options, including In-Care and Out-of-Care Options, independent living, and the real possibility of homelessness. It allows you to determine eligibility for housing options, and create an action plan to achieve housing goals.
The Housing Program is exploring targeted interventions for those without a housing plan and others that might need an emergency or temporary placement, and we can discuss these situations on a case by case basis. The Housing Program Flowchart provides a graphical description of this process for your consideration.
Resources: Housing Process Flow Chart | Housing Process Description
The Housing Program Flowchart is intended to provide transparency in the housing program and process. Housing takes preparation and planning. It should begin with the housing plan that provides structured discussion about housing goals and readiness, available housing options, eligibility for housing options, and the creation of an action plan will help achieve your housing goals.
Housing Opportunities at a Glance
Consider housing options:
Although rental assistance programs and screening for eligibility is suggested as the first step in exploring housing options, youth not ready for independent living, out of care housing options, and who are interested in further developing life skills to become self-sufficient may want to consider the Extended Foster Care or the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program.
These programs can serve as a bridge to out of care housing options and rental assistance programs to support independent living when you are ready to do so. Contact our EFC/SIL Program Specialist.
Public housing authorities across the state provide rental assistance through housing vouchers. Two of these vouchers may be available in certain parts of the state for youth with foster care involvement, who left or are transitioning out of foster care, who are at risk or experiencing homelessness. These vouchers are the Family Unification Program (FUP) Voucher, and the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher. These programs are for youth 18-24 years of age and provide up to 36 months of rental assistance.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs also administers a Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program. This program is for youth with disabilities who are transitioning from foster care to adulthood and need rental assistance. For more information about this program, to follow up on applications, or to schedule a training to become a referral agent, email Kaitlin Devlin at the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
Youth out of foster care might consider an independent transitional living program. Refer to this list of Transitional Independent Living Programs throughout Texas.
If youth-targeted rental assistance programs are not available, some Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) offer additional rental assistance programs that can be explored, including Housing Choice Vouchers, and some have Emergency Vouchers. These possibilities can be discussed directly with local public housing authorities where young adults plan to reside. In most cases, youth will have to be 18 to apply for traditional Housing Choice Vouchers.
In some areas, there are Continuum of Care (Coordinated Entry Programs) and nonprofit providers that offer emergency shelters, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs. These programs are limited and often target those who are chronically disabled and homeless. Search for "Housing for the Homeless" on the web for similar programs in your area.
Explore All Your Options
Explore all of your options, like Extended Foster Care and FYI Vouchers.
In this video, Alina explains Extended Foster Care.
DFPS State Office Youth Specialists
Did you know that you have access to youth specialists? If you want to talk to a youth specialist, you can reach out to Charles Batiste or Jan Heisman.
Hear from Jan in this video.
Apply to Youth Rental Assistance Programs
There are three youth-targeted rental assistance programs:
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI)
- Family Unification Program (FUP)
- Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program
Referral & Application Process
Youth are encouraged to apply to these programs up to 90 days prior to turning 18 years of age. DFPS has 11 regions and each one has designated DFPS Regional Youth Housing Liaisons that can provide support and assistance regarding these programs. The DFPS Youth Housing Program mailbox is also available.
To learn about these programs, review the following websites, screening checklists, and other information:
This program is for youth with disabilities.
Note: Although most Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have similar applications, intake processes, and required documentation, there are differences in approaches. It is best to contact the specific PHA and discuss their programs and requirements directly. For a complete list of Texas Public Housing Authorities, visit the Texas Housing Association website.
Coffee Talks
Join the DFPS State Office Youth Housing Specialist, Jim Currier, MSW, for a weekly housing hot topics meeting. Grab a coffee, and let’s have a conversation about housing. This is a virtual drop in/drop out meeting that occurs every Friday morning.
Got an issue you want to discuss? Pop in.
Want to dig deep on a training topic? We can do that.
Want to review a case? Sure.
Meetings are held over Microsoft Teams. Click this link to join Fridays from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CST!
Resources
Texas Housing Assistance Line at 1-855-802-0014
This resource is available statewide 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help people facing housing instability or homelessness, with a focus on people dealing with mental health or substance use issues. Trained consultants will refer callers to local housing resources, crisis services, local mental and behavioral health authorities, outreach, screening, assessment, and referral programs, as well as 2-1-1 as appropriate.
Handouts and Information
- Voucher Workflow Map | Description
- Housing Plan Template
- Housing Process Flow Chart | Housing Process Description
- FYI Program Overview
- FYI Topic Guides
- FYI Webinar Series
- FYI Flyer
- FYI Explainer Video
- FYI Landlord Recruitment - HUD Exchange
- Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
- Texas Network of Youth Services
- Texas Homeless Network
- Texas Youth Helpline
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- National Network for Youth
- Housing Readiness handout
- Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Resource Locator
- FindHelp.org
Contact Info
The following contacts are available, based on your region:
- DFPS PAL Staff
- DFPS Regional Youth Housing Liaisons
- Local Mental Health Authorities
- Transition Centers
- Transitional Independent Living Programs
You may also reach out to the DFPS State Office Youth Housing Specialist, Jim Currier, MSW, at the Youth Housing Program mailbox.
