Housing for Unaccompanied Youth A model for community collaboration

HYI Kathi Sheffel Homeless Liaison Fairfax County Public Schools Judith Dittman Executive Director Alternative House

Homeless Youth Initiative Young people who attend high school, are homeless and do not have the support of a parent or guardian are in a precarious situation. Without stable housing concentrating on education is difficult. Finding a place to study, sufficient food to eat and medical care are all issues. Adult homeless shelters are not a good option for young people who are 18 to 21 and still in school.

Understanding the need Homeless Adult Shelters are by design, not for high school students. In order for minimal disruption educationally in spite of homelessness, students need a consistent place to stay where they can focus on school. Adult shelters do not offer that regular nighttime residence. Frequently, they offer a night to night possibility of a place to sleep, requiring hyper vigilance on the part of the student regarding basic needs and personal safety. This housing is so very far removed from that of the regular student population at school, the student is a further risk of disengaging from peers and becoming isolated with homelessness.

How did we start? Gathering stakeholders Community invitation to join Unaccompanied youth task force Representatives from Multiple agencies including: Shelter programs, CPS, Dept of family Services, Housing, Recreation services, Dept of Human Services, NAEHCY, youth representative

Topics of Discussion Legal issues for youth including local runaway laws and policies School actions with runaways Medical treatment and parental consent Emergency medical care

Need identification Identify strengths within the community (what do we have in place) Identify Weaknesses (what are the barriers for our youth) Identify Opportunities for youth (what are some of the options suggested) Threats to progressing

Strengths Current programs: Assisting Youth Mothers, Residential Youth Services, Alternative House FCPS Homeless Liaison’s Office (provide transportation to school, access to resources, tutors in shelters) Commitment of Task Force members FC Coordinated Services and Planning Job skills programs Finding alternatives to avoid foster care FC Teen Centers Strong faith community

Weaknesses Lack of affordable housing Lack of adult to sign for Alternative House Lack of awareness/understanding of issues surrounding unaccompanied youth $$$ Policies that frustrate efforts to support unaccompanied youth Link between teens living with boy/girlfriends and teen pregnancy

Opportunities policy review New FC homeless director New $1.8 billion through Stimulus plan Expansion of FC Independent Living Projects? Teen/Community/Rec Centers Faith community Public Awareness/Education campaign (billboards, radio, tv, buses, newspaper) Business community Current journalism attention on homeless students Develop host home program: ie Mentor homes, Host homes, Safe Homes, Child Help

Threats Economic downturn Public discomfort with children being on their own Misperceptions between undocumented minors and unaccompanied youth Age of becoming an “adult” differs between other cultures and may cause confusion Political pressure to avoid $ for undocumented immigrants

Resource Planning Find resources Logistical resources

Cross agency relationships How to start How to maintain

Planning Timelines

Creating an advisory team

Program Services The services provided by the Homeless Youth Initiative include: Helping homeless youth locate safe, affordable housing. Providing a rent subsidy sufficient to allow the youth to maintain housing while attending school. Providing assistance with food and clothing when necessary. Provide case management, life skills training and educational supports to achieve graduation from high school.

Rental Subsidy Option The Alternative House Housing/Program Coordinator will match the young person with appropriate housing. In many cases this will be a room in a home located near the school the young person attends. By using this arrangement there are three benefits: A family that may be stretching to make their mortgage payment receives that small additional income that keeps them in their home; The young person has a safe, stable living arrangement close to the social supports he or she has developed; and The school district does not incur the cost of transporting the young person from a remote shelter to their high school.

Housing The Housing/Program Coordinator or the Case Manager will verify on a monthly basis that the housing is still safe and appropriate and be available to discuss any issues that may occur between the family acting as a landlord and the young person. When the Coordinator finds a suitable living situation the young person will meet with the landlord. In most cases this will be a family that wishes to rent a room. The rental agreement is between the landlord and the young person and may be terminated by either party with 30 days notice. A rent subsidy will be issued to the youth but is paid directly to the landlord. The maximum subsidy is $700 per youth. The young person and the landlord will decide on a case by case basis whether the rent paid will include meals and if so, how many. In circumstances where the young person already has a safe living arrangement, but cannot afford to maintain it, the Case Manager will sit down with the young person, develop a budget and determine the extent of rental subsidy needed. In no instance will it exceed $700 per month.

Role of the case manager The Case Manager will meet with the young person when they enter the program and a minimum of monthly, thereafter. The Case Manager will help the young person complete the program application and discuss with the youth what supports he or she needs. This may include assistance in obtaining food stamps, clothing, medical care, help with budgeting, employment, or other needs. The Case Manager will check in with the young person at least once a month to make sure all of the supports the student needs are in place.

Host Homes Host Homes are individuals or families in the community willing to take a student in and provide housing while the student is enrolled in high school. The family/individual undergoes background checks and meets with the Coordinator. Students are assessed by a therapist in terms of appropriateness for the program and needs

Host Homes Involvement in the life of the teen will be dependent on the student and the Host Home and an agreement about house rules will also be defined by two parties. The Host Home Coordinator will visit with the family once a month to ensure things are going smoothly. The student will also receive support from the staff.

Janet Lane House Home for Teen Girls A four bedroom home in Vienna is available to house four 18 year old young women who are enrolled in FCPS. Supervision is provided 24 hours a day. Students must be screened by a therapist.

Rental Subsidy A rental subsidy program to assist students at risk of losing their housing (renting a room) or provided to help secure housing requires that students secure employment and be able to live independently. As with the other programs, they must apply for the program and participate in a meeting with the therapist to determine eligibility. They will receive ongoing support from the Alternative House staff.

Rental Subsidy The Alternative House Housing/Program Coordinator will match the young person with appropriate housing. In many cases this will be a room in a home located near the school the young person attends. By using this arrangement there are three benefits: A family that may be stretching to make their mortgage payment receives that small additional income that keeps them in their home; The young person has a safe, stable living arrangement close to the social supports he or she has developed; and The school district does not incur the cost of transporting the young person from a remote shelter to their high school.

Handling issues Working out barriers that arise Program fluidity and improvement

Collecting data

Funding : the challenge Finding additional funding sources and maintaining current funding

Future Planning What's Next?