HUD awards nearly $800k to CHA to help vulnerable families and youth in foster care who are at risk of homelessness

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $778,477 to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Tuesday for 55 vouchers that will help youth with a history of foster care involvement who are homeless or at the risk of homelessness and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children are in foster care.

CHA is one of 13 public housing authorities nationwide that received a total of $10 million totaling over 600 vouchers.

“Secretary Fudge and HUD remain steadfast in combatting homelessness with the urgency it requires,” said Great Lakes Regional Administrator Diane M. Shelley. “We are creating opportunities for the most vulnerable families who are facing separation due to the lack of housing and youth leaving foster care. Both groups deserve decent and safe housing. Through our collaboration and teamwork with PHA’s like Chicago Housing Authority, these families and youth will have a better future, one that is promising because they will have a stable home.” 

CHA CEO Tracey Scott said: “With this new grant from HUD, CHA will have a total of 931 vouchers available to assist these vulnerable families. We are thankful to HUD for making more resources available in order to eradicate homelessness in Chicago by zeroing in on where it often begins. We will continue to do all we can to make sure families stay together and that foster youth are given the opportunities they need during this critical period in their development.”

This funding, offered through HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP) will provide vouchers to youth and families to find housing and will help strengthen coordination among public housing authorities (PHAs), public child welfare agencies (PCWAs), and Continuums of Care (CoCs) and increase access to supportive services for those who need them