Despite significant efforts to address youth homelessness, the foster care-to-homelessness pipeline remains a problem that has been somewhat unaddressed. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, 50% of the homeless population have experienced foster care at some point in their lives. In 2017, young adults, from ages 18 to 24, experienced the highest rates of homelessness in the state of Washington. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s The Administration for Children and Families reports that 37% of youth who have experienced foster care also experienced homelessness prior to the age of 17, increasing their risk for future homelessness as an adult. Similarly, other studies found that about one-quarter of youth who exited foster care at 17 or older became homeless within 12 months.
While it is hard to pinpoint individual contributors to the experience of homelessness in young adults exiting foster care, many risk factors are identifiable. Youth exiting care have an increased risk if they have experienced incarceration, been referred for substance abuse issues, have a runaway history, or have behavioral health conditions. Many of these risk factors can stem from a lack of supportive adults, lack of holistic services, and a lack of a sense of belonging. In addition, unless a youth exiting care has had a long-term relationship with a foster parent, it is unlikely that they will be able to stay in the same home after they turn 18. This risk of shifting into an unfamiliar placement may lead youth to leave care prematurely, rather than engage in extended foster care (EFC), leaving them without important supports that can prevent the experience of homelessness in young adulthood. With significant preexisting trauma, many foster youth are eager for independence, exiting care to regain control of their environment and ensure their safety. This draws into question whether we are adequately preparing families to care for teens long term, and whether services are adequately supporting foster families with teens in their care. Even if a youth has the financial means to live independently after exiting care, renting is difficult without prior planning and preparation. If a youth exits care at the age of 18, they are unable to complete rental applications until their 18th birthday. If a youth participates in EFC and exits care at 21, they still may lack the proper rental references, lack a needed cosigner, or may even be impacted by a history of incarceration.
The state of Washington has made significant progress in addressing youth homelessness since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through continuous review and expansion of EFC services, the state has greatly increased the support available to foster youth who are 18 or older. Extension of EFC to age 21 has been shown to reduce the likelihood of experiencing homelessness or economic hardship while still in care. However, if a youth chooses to opt-in to EFC, they are expected to either be enrolled in classes, have a job working 80 hours per month, or have a documented medical condition that prevents them from engaging in either. It is important to consider barriers related to mental health and overall needs instability that may prevent a youth from being able to meet these expectations. Many youth exit care with these issues unaddressed. In addition, the program ends services at the age of 21, failing to consider that many students who have enrolled in college do not graduate until at least the age of 22. This leaves foster youth without the adequate time or opportunity to finish their education or to gain secure employment with adequate pay — steps necessary to achieving long-term stability. Many youth who have been adopted or reunified with their families are disqualified from the EFC program despite evidence that they are still likely to experience housing instability for various reasons. These youth have virtually no support from foster care-related programs.
Though the child welfare system has shifted to focus on achieving permanency, and overall numbers of foster children in Washington have decreased, youth homelessness still takes a significant toll on communities in the state, and foster youth are disproportionately affected. With a worsening housing crisis and a dramatically increased cost of living, it is necessary that we reexamine the age limit at which we exclude youth from services within Washington, and the requirements in which we expect them to abide. Senator Claire Wilson sponsored Senate Bill 5230, which would create a post-EFC program to support foster youth up until the age of 26. For this program to take effect, the state would have to dedicate $33 million per year. Amid the pandemic and a struggling budget, the state has not had the funds to invest, and the bill has not been passed. However, the Washington Institute for Public Policy found that for every dollar invested in this program and in foster youth, the state would have a $3.95 return. It is important that the possibility of this program’s expansion is reexplored. With the decision to provide state-funded healthcare until the age of 26 for youth who have experienced foster care, it makes sense to align EFC and program policies to address youth homelessness and increase the likelihood of positive, long-term outcomes after exiting the child welfare system. Research has shown that the strongest protective factors against homelessness for foster youth include having a quality connection with an adult and remaining in foster care. If we want to reduce youth homelessness and encourage foster youth to remain in care, then we must also make a commitment to structuring child welfare systems that foster impactful connections and holistic support.
