How the Bay Area Housing Crisis Is Impacting Foster Youth
Nonprofit agency Unity Care carries out its mandate of supporting transitional-aged youth (TAY) through affordable housing and trauma-informed care. Unity Care’s transitional housing program addresses the barriers that prevent TAY living in high-cost areas such as Santa Clara County from achieving independence.
Youth aging out of the foster care system face significant obstacles to achieving housing stability due to a lack of financial assistance and resources. By some estimates, up to 50 percent of TAY experience homelessness after leaving care. These housing issues are exacerbated by rising rental costs and a dearth of available units in the Bay Area.
On average, rents exceed $2,300 per month throughout the Bay Area. While TAY under 24 years old can qualify for federal housing vouchers, as of 2018, there is a shortfall of more than 60,000 units to meet the housing demand. In Santa Clara County, long housing waiting lists have caused youth to remain in temporary shelters for extended periods.
Youth aging out of the foster care system face significant obstacles to achieving housing stability due to a lack of financial assistance and resources. By some estimates, up to 50 percent of TAY experience homelessness after leaving care. These housing issues are exacerbated by rising rental costs and a dearth of available units in the Bay Area.
On average, rents exceed $2,300 per month throughout the Bay Area. While TAY under 24 years old can qualify for federal housing vouchers, as of 2018, there is a shortfall of more than 60,000 units to meet the housing demand. In Santa Clara County, long housing waiting lists have caused youth to remain in temporary shelters for extended periods.
