What's happening
This bill doubles the monthly rent subsidy for foster youth living independently from $300 to $600 and extends eligibility up to age 24.
Why it matters
Addresses a key barrier for foster youth aging out of care by acknowledging that inadequate housing is a primary reason for delayed or unstable transitions to independent living. By increasing the subsidy and extending eligibility, the bill helps prevent homelessness and housing insecurity among this vulnerable group.
Makes it clear that recipients can use the subsidy while living with roommates,. which increases flexibility and makes it easier for youth to find affordable housing options in high-cost areas, potentially allowing the subsidy to stretch further.
Ensures that the increased support is temporary and targeted,. with a three-year time limit and age cap of 24, focusing resources during a critical period when foster youth are most at risk of instability, but not creating an indefinite entitlement.
Could reduce overall government and social costs. by helping young adults avoid homelessness, involvement with the justice system, and reliance on emergency services, ultimately supporting better outcomes in education, employment, and health for former foster youth.
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Who cares
Youth leaving foster care
The bill would raise the monthly housing assistance cap from $300 to $600 and allow assistance up to age 24, while retaining the three-year limit.
Families seeking to reunite with children in foster care
The bill would double the housing assistance cap when inadequate housing is the primary barrier to discharge from foster care.
Families at risk of foster care placement
The bill would raise the assistance cap to $600 a month when inadequate housing could lead to placement and the family has at least one other service need.
Local social services officials
The bill would increase the housing assistance they can provide under these provisions and clarify that subsidy recipients may live with roommates.
Headline styles
Double Foster Youth Rent Help
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to children and families
- Referred to children and families
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2303
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI, JAFFEE, WRIGHT, JEAN-PIERRE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to increasing from $300 a month to $600 a month the rent subsidy payable to a foster child living independently
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 5 of section 409-a of the social services law, as amended by chapter 339 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, where a social services official determines that a lack of adequate housing is the primary factor preventing the discharge of a child or children from foster care including, but not limited to, children with the goal of discharge to independent living, preventive services shall include, in addition to any other payments or benefits received by the family, special cash grants in the form of rent subsidies, including rent arrears, or any other assistance, sufficient to obtain adequate housing. Such rent subsidies or assistance shall not exceed the sum of [three] six hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, may be provided up to age twenty-four for youth discharged from foster care, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the ability of those using the rent subsidy to live with roommates. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit such official's authority to provide other preventive services.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 409-a of the social services law, as added by section 83 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a social services official determines that a lack of adequate housing is a factor that may cause the entry of a child or children into foster care and the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01043-01-9
A. 2303 2
family has at least one service need other than lack of adequate housing, preventive services may include, in addition to any other payments or benefits received by the family, special cash grants in the form of rent subsidies, including rent arrears, or any other assistance, sufficient to obtain adequate housing. Such rent subsidies or assistance shall not exceed the sum of [three] six hundred dollars per month, shall not be provided for a period of more than three years, may be provided up to age twenty-four for youth discharged from foster care, and shall be considered a special grant. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit the ability of those using the rent subsidy to live with roommates. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit such official's authority to provide other preventive services.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.