Family Unification Program Foster Youth to Independence RFP Grant

The Family Unification Program Foster Youth to Independence RFP aims to provide housing assistance to young adults aged 18-24 who have exited or will soon exit foster care. With $400,000 available over two years, this initiative seeks to connect approximately 150 eligible youth to housing vouchers, facilitating their transition into stable living conditions. The program emphasizes quick referrals, housing search support, and collaboration with community partners to ensure successful outcomes for these vulnerable young adults.

Overview
The Family Unification Program (FUP) Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Program is a Housing Choice Voucher program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FYI aims to provide housing assistance for youth at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age who have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days.
This RFP makes available $400,000 over the course of two years to connect eligible young adults to approximately 150 Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers that have yet to be issued. The County seeks a community-based organization that can work with community partners to quickly identify, engage, and refer eligible young adults to the FYI Program and assist referred young adults with the voucher issuance and housing search processes. Once referred young adults have moved in, the awarded agency will provide a warm hand off to the organization operating long-term FYI Program case management.
The King County FYI Project is co-supported by King County Housing Authority (KCHA), Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), and by Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (DCYF).
Background
Foster Youth to Independence Program (FYI) is a Housing Choice Voucher program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). FYI aims to provide housing assistance for young adults at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age who have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days. King County contracts with a service provider to provide housing search and long-term case management for all FYI voucher recipients. There are approximately 150 FYI vouchers that have yet to be issued. Voucher issuance is behind schedule, yet eligible young adults are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Approximately $400,000 is available over a period of up to two years through the Youth Lodging Tax to support the work described in this RFP. The maximum award amount Proposer(s) may request is $400,000, with a maximum distribution of $200,000 per year. Awards may be for one year with the potential of extending for a second year and another $200,000. Budgets should be aligned with proposed strategies outlined in the application.
Objective
To increase voucher access and utilization, DCHS is making funds available for an awarded agency to generate more referrals and quickly move those referrals through the voucher issuance process and housing search. The agency would then provide a warm hand off to the current FYI services provider for longer term case management.
The contracted agency would focus on the approximately 150 FYI vouchers that are currently available. The agency would engage with community resources to identify FUP eligible young adults for the purpose of connecting to FYI vouchers. They would then lead on voucher applications and coordination with PHAs for FYI eligible young adults. Housing search assistance would be provided by the contracted agency and coordination with the current FYI service provider for a warm hand off for ongoing services.