WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), and Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure that youth aging out of foster care can find safe, affordable, and stable housing while attending college.
“As a father and former foster parent to two wonderful girls my wife and I adopted, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges kids face aging out of the foster system,” said Rep. Nunn. “This bipartisan bill ensures foster youth aren’t forced to choose between safe housing and getting an education. It’s a commonsense, compassionate solution that puts our most vulnerable students on a path to success.”
Approximately 23,000 youth age out of foster care each year, and many don’t have a permanent home or reliable support system to rely on. As a result, these young adults face significantly higher risks of homelessness, especially when pursuing post-secondary education without financial or family support.
“We have a real opportunity to change lives with this bipartisan bill,” said Rep. Landsman. “By covering housing, it removes so many barriers for these vulnerable students. They can live in a dorm, with their peers instead of feeling isolated off-campus, which can lead to better academic performance and greater success.”
Current federal housing policy blocks college students from using Section 8 assistance for on-campus housing. The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act allows the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to waive this restriction for eligible students with foster care or emancipation backgrounds.
The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act is endorsed by the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, the National Foster Youth Institute, and Foster Care Alumni of America.
Text of the bill can be found here.
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