“It’s heartbreaking to realize that thousands of children live in foster care or forced to live with other families simply because their parents can’t afford a home,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “The funding provided today will keep thousands of families together under one roof.”
On June 2, 2011, HUD announced that it will release 1,931 Housing Choice Vouchers to families who are in jeopardy of being forcibly separated because the parents cannot afford adequate housing. Many families have already fallen victim to such separations. HUD’s Family Unification Program (FUP) seeks to reunite “nearly 3,500 children with their parents.”
The program will also provide rental funding for young adults (ages 18-21) who have “aged out” of the foster care system—but have no place to live.
The plan makes practical and financial sense. According to statistics from the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, the annual cost to place one family into foster care is $56,892 per year as compared to $14,000 per year to provide rental assistance and supportive services.
By reuniting 3,500 children with parents, HUD expects to generate a savings of $74 million in annual foster care operating expenses.
Click here for program details and to learn which states received the funding.
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