Groundbreaking Statewide Initiative Targets Support for Former Foster Youth to Prevent Homelessness

COLORADO — A Pioneering Initiative to Transform Lives of Former Foster Youth

In an endeavor to transform the lives of the youth emerging from the foster care system in Colorado, Gov. Polis enacted a new statewide program on Monday. This remarkable step aims to combat a deeply concerning trend affecting former foster youth, a demographic facing alarmingly high rates of homelessness and housing instability.

According to recent statistics revealed by Colorado’s Office of Children, Youth, and Families, a staggering 282 young individuals have transitioned out of foster care within the previous year. More shocking is the data showing that nearly 36% of those aging out of foster care in the state have either ended up homeless or faced significant housing challenges in their early adult years.

Introducing the Fostering Success Housing Voucher Program

Designed to provide assistance to as many as 100 former foster youth, the Fostering Success Housing Voucher Program will be a lifeline for many. This housing voucher initiative is designed to support anyone between the ages of 18 to 26 who was in foster care on or after their 14th birthday. Additionally, they must be actively involved in a Chafee or Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood grant program’s case management services.

The Deputy Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families, Mollie Bradlee, elaborated on the voucher amount. She clarified that it would be income-based and could cover all or part of the young person’s housing needs. Furthermore, the program’s design ensures assistance for those who have been out of the foster care system for years, recognizing the ongoing challenges faced by many.

In Bradlee’s words, “We know that young people, sometimes if they’re changing jobs or face disruptions in their life, may not be able to continue with some of the successful approaches they’ve had. They may have periods of instability where they need a little bit more help.”

Hope and Home: Partners in Support

Hope and Home, a renowned foster care agency situated in Colorado Springs, currently provides homes for over 200 children in the state. Jessica Condra, the Chief Operating Officer, expressed optimism that this new statewide program would provide the youth with the stability they desperately need as they transition into adulthood.

The program is seen as more than just a solution to housing. It symbolizes a foundational step towards a stable life. As Condra insightfully puts it, “Sometimes that is just the first stepping stone to providing additional stability in their life. If you at least know where you’re going at night, if you have someplace to sleep at night, the rest of the things can follow and don’t maybe feel as big.”

A State’s Response to a National Crisis

With one in three people coming out of foster care in Colorado ending up homeless, the state’s response is timely and essential. This new statewide program, signed into law on June 7, 2023, manifests Colorado’s commitment to rectifying a grave social issue. The news of this groundbreaking program is resonating across the state, as News 5’s Maggie Bryan shared details of the program and the qualifying criteria.

The Fostering Success Housing Voucher Program is a beacon of hope, reflecting the community’s collective drive to foster success and resilience in the lives of those who have experienced the foster care system. The steps taken today promise a brighter tomorrow for Colorado’s youth, one where stability and support are not mere dreams but achievable realities.