bill giving foster youth housing help as they age out

The text as introduced · 1,604 words

90R2464 MM-F

By: Garcia Hernandez
H.B. No. 120

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to transitional support services and housing resources for

foster youth transitioning to independent living.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 264.121, Family Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (a-8) and amending Subsections (i) and (j) to

read as follows:

(a-8) The department shall ensure that all youth enrolled in

the Preparation for Adult Living Program are provided with

comprehensive information regarding available housing resources

and assistance for transitioning youth, including the federal

Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United

States Department of Housing and Urban Development, to improve

awareness of housing assistance options as each youth prepares for

independent living.

(i) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for

each youth 16 years of age or older includes provisions to assist

the youth in managing the youth's housing needs after the youth

leaves foster care, including provisions that:

(1) identify the cost of housing in relation to the

youth's sources of income, including any benefits or rental

assistance available to the youth;

(2) if the youth's housing goals include residing with

family or friends, state that the department has addressed the

following with the youth:

(A) the length of time the youth expects to stay

in the housing arrangement;

(B) expectations for the youth regarding paying

rent and meeting other household obligations;

(C) the youth's psychological and emotional

needs, as applicable; and

(D) any potential conflicts with other household

members, or any difficulties connected to the type of housing the

youth is seeking, that may arise based on the youth's psychological

and emotional needs;

(3) inform the youth about emergency shelters and

housing resources, including supervised independent living , the

federal Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and

housing at colleges and universities, such as dormitories;

(4) require the department to review a common rental

application and a common rental contract with the youth and ensure

that the youth possesses all of the documentation required to

obtain rental housing; and

(5) identify any individuals who are able to serve as

cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing.

(j) The department shall ensure that the transition plan for

each youth 16 years of age or older includes information about

securing or transferring governmental assistance the youth may

qualify for, including:

(1) social security benefits;

(2) veteran or service member benefits;

(3) supplemental nutrition assistance;

(4) special supplemental nutrition assistance for

women, infants, and children;

(5) temporary assistance for needy families; and

(6) housing assistance , including the federal Foster

Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United States

Department of Housing and Urban Development .

SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 264, Family Code, is

amended by adding Sections 264.1216, 264.1217, and 264.1218 to read

as follows:

Sec. 264.1216. SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CERTAIN YOUNG

ADULTS. (a) The department shall provide ongoing transitional

living services and other supportive services to an eligible young

adult who has exited foster care but continues to face housing

instability or other challenges in achieving self-sufficiency.

Services provided under this section may include:

(1) services available under the department's

Transitional Living Services Program described by Section 264.121;

(2) case management;

(3) housing navigation or assistance;

(4) life-skills training; and

(5) other appropriate services to facilitate a young

adult's successful transition to independent living.

(b) Notwithstanding other law, a young adult is eligible for

services under this section if the young adult:

(1) is at least 18 years of age but younger than 25

years of age, and was in the conservatorship of the department on

the day preceding:

(A) the young adult's 18th birthday; or

(B) the date the young adult aged out of foster

care; and

(2) meets at least one of the following criteria:

(A) the young adult is homeless or is at imminent

risk of becoming homeless; or

(B) the young adult has been issued or assigned a

housing voucher under the federal Foster Youth to Independence

initiative administered by the United States Department of Housing

and Urban Development.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) or any other law, the

department may continue to provide transitional living and

supportive services under this section to a young adult after the

young adult's 25th birthday for as long as the young adult is

receiving a housing voucher under the federal Foster Youth to

Independence initiative to ensure stability for the young adult and

young adult's successful completion of the housing voucher program.

(d) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this

section, including rules:

(1) providing for coordination between relevant state

agencies and community partners; and

(2) establishing any additional eligibility criteria

or service guidelines necessary to maximize the use of available

federal funds and other resources.

Sec. 264.1217. HOUSING TRANSITION PLANNING. (a) For each

youth in the conservatorship of the department who is expected to

exit foster care on or after the youth's 18th birthday, the youth's

caseworker shall, not later than the first day of the sixth month

before the month of the youth's 18th birthday:

(1) assess the youth's housing needs and preferences

for the period after the youth leaves foster care, including

whether the youth intends to voluntarily enter extended foster care

or will leave foster care on the youth's 18th birthday; and

(2) identify and initiate engagement with specific

potential housing resources available to the youth after the youth

leaves foster care, which may include placement in extended foster

care, a supervised independent living setting, a transitional

housing program, a federal or state housing assistance program, a

supportive housing service, or another housing arrangement

appropriate for the youth.

(b) For each youth in the conservatorship of the department

who is expected to leave foster care on or after the youth's 18th

birthday, the youth's caseworker shall, not later than the 90th day

before the youth's 18th birthday:

(1) complete any necessary referral or application for

housing assistance or housing programs the youth may qualify for,

including an application for a housing voucher under the federal

Foster Youth to Independence initiative administered by the United

States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(2) review and confirm the status of the youth's

planned housing arrangements and resources identified under

Subsection (a);

(3) address any outstanding requirements or barriers

to securing the planned housing arrangements identified under

Subsection (a); and

(4) ensure that the youth's transition plan is updated

as necessary to reflect a specific, viable housing option for the

youth when the youth leaves foster care.

Sec. 264.1218. FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE HOUSING VOUCHER

PROGRAM TRACKING SYSTEM. (a) In this section, "program" means the

housing voucher program provided by the federal Foster Youth to

Independence initiative administered by the United States

Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(b) The department shall develop and implement a

centralized, statewide information system to collect and track data

on the demand for, allocation of, and use of the program by former

foster youth in this state. The system must be designed to

identify:

(1) the number of current and former foster youth in

each region of the state who request or are identified as in need of

a housing voucher under the program;

(2) the availability and distribution of housing

vouchers under the program across this state, including the number

of housing vouchers allocated, issued, or pending in each region of

the state; and

(3) outcomes for youth who receive a housing voucher

under the program, including the rate at which recipients

successfully lease housing using a voucher, the average length of

time youth use the vouchers, and any other housing stability

metrics determined by the department.

(c) In developing and operating the tracking system under

this section, the department shall coordinate with the Texas

Department of Housing and Community Affairs, local public housing

authorities that participate in the program, and other relevant

state or local agencies or partner organizations to facilitate the

secure exchange of information necessary to track the demand for

and use of housing vouchers under the program. To the extent

feasible, the system may build upon or integrate with existing data

systems used by the department or another agency with which the

department coordinates.

(d) The department shall use information from the tracking

system developed under this section to improve planning and

delivery of housing-related services to current and former foster

youth. The department shall also make summary data from the system

available to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

and other relevant stakeholders to inform interagency efforts to

address the housing needs of foster youth transitioning to

independence.

(e) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement

this section, including rules that:

(1) govern interagency data sharing agreements;

(2) define relevant performance measures or data

elements; and

(3) ensure appropriate privacy protections for

participating youth.

SECTION 3. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective

date of this Act, the commissioner of the Department of Family and

Protective Services shall adopt rules necessary to implement the

changes in law made by this Act.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Family

and Protective Services shall fully implement the initiatives

required by this Act, including the provision of extended

supportive services provided under Section 264.1216, Family Code,

as added by this Act, the transition planning improvements under

Section 264.1217, Family Code, as added by this Act, and the Foster

Youth to Independence housing voucher program tracking system under

Section 264.1218, Family Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.