(Photo – L.A. County)
The most recent 2024 Youth Count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority found that 2,406 youth between the ages of 18 to 24 are homeless. The survey also found that about half of those leaving foster care go on to experience homelessness.
By News Desk
During this week’s Board meeting, the Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath that directs the County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to implement several strategies that will increase access to housing vouchers for youth who are aging out of the County’s care.
Those directives include DCFS partnering with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) to increase the number of property owners who accept federally-funded housing vouchers and to conduct more outreach to youth so they’re aware of voucher availability.
“The County has made some important strides in preventing youth who are aging out of our child welfare system from falling into homelessness, but we need to maximize every single resource that’s available,” stated Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We must use every tool available to ensure our young people exiting foster care have a place to call home,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath.
The Board’s unanimous vote was acknowledged by Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass, who stated, “This motion is a direct result of our Shadow Day program in May when former foster youth connected directly with local leaders to present policy recommendations based on firsthand experience living in the child welfare system.”
The motion will also improve training for both DCFS and Probation Department staff on housing options for transition age youth, increase availability of mental health and intensive case management services, and mobilize resources to prioritize housing for parenting youth so none experience homelessness after exiting DCFS’ Independent Living Program.
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