The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has guidance regarding Tenant Protection Vouchers for foster youth. Tenant Protection Vouchers are now available for Family Reunification Program-eligible foster youth in communities that do not administer Family Reunification Programs. To be eligible, a Public Housing Authority (PHA) must: administer the Housing Choice Voucher program, not administer the Family Reunification Program, have a partnership with a public child welfare agency, accept Family Reunification Program –eligible your referrals, determine eligibility and update their administrative plan. The public child welfare agency must provide supportive services.
Eligible youth must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age, left foster care or will leave foster case within 90 days, and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
These vouchers sunset when the youth leaves the program. If a youth does not use the voucher, the PHA must notify HUD and HUD will reduce the PHA’s housing choice voucher assistance to account for the removal of the voucher. These vouchers cannot be project based. PHAs may admit youth to the program who are not on the waiting list or without consideration of waiting list position. These vouchers provide assistance for a maximum of 36 months. (PIH Notice 2019-20, July 26, 2019.)