LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved two motions authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to expand housing for youth people formerly in foster care.

Collectively, the motions will create more housing, allow providers to build services to meet tailored needs of young people, and increase the number of housing navigators so that young people have assistance in identifying housing options throughout the County.

These motions are necessary to accept a $10 million grant from the State, which allows the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) to increase its supply of Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP-Plus) for young people formerly in foster care between the ages 18 and 25. Since 2018, the LA County Board of Supervisors has increased the THP-Plus program from 82 beds to 166 beds. And now, with this grant, DCFS will create an additional 280 beds – allowing LA County to have 446 beds total for this program.

The increased housing will be complemented by a $2.6 million state grant, enabling DCFS to increase their monthly rate to THP-Plus providers to at least $2,882 per young person. This will improve housing providers’ ability to secure safe and quality housing units and offer services critical to assisting with educational, employment, mental health, and independent living goals. Through this program, DCFS will establish a higher rate for expectant and parenting young people participating in THP-Plus to ensure providers are able to offer more appropriate housing accommodations for these young families.

Lastly, through the Board’s action today, LA County will increase its participation in the State’s Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program. The state grant of nearly $4.5 million will fund housing navigators to act as housing specialists for young adults, specifically young people who were formerly in foster care, to secure and maintain housing.

“Youth homelessness does not always receive the attention it deserves, but it is a problem that mandates our complete energy,” said Supervisor Solis. “In partnership with the State of California, Los Angeles County is significantly increasing housing and services for young people formerly in foster care, helping to resolve the foster care to homelessness pipeline. This is about stability and dignity for our young people.”

“I want to extend my gratitude to Supervisor Solis for leading the effort to draw down state funds for critical housing programs for youth ages 18 to 25 years old who have left foster care. We must continue to support our foster youth after they exit care, and we must continue to make housing, education, and employment resources available to them,” said Supervisor Horvath. “Today’s motions will keep us on course to fulfill our promise to focus on young people who too often fall through the cracks of our social safety net.”

To view the motion for Item 6, click here.

To view the motion for Item 7, click here.

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