Young Adult Housing Support Bill: A Legislative Victory for Florida’s Vulnerable Foster Youth Facing Housing Instability

As advocates dedicated to protecting the rights of Florida’s abused and neglected foster youth, we at Justice for Kids, a Division of Kelley Kronenberg, are pleased as the statewide sponsor of Florida’s Children First, to share their significant legislative victory. The “Young Adult Housing Support” bill (SB 584/HB 879) has successfully passed the Florida legislature and now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law. This landmark legislation addresses the critical issue of housing insecurity among former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness across Florida.

How This Legislation Serves Our Clients

This comprehensive housing assistance for former foster youth directly benefits many of the young people we represent in several critical ways:

• Campus Housing Priority: The bill prioritizes former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness for campus housing and work-study opportunities, addressing a fundamental need for stability among our clients pursuing higher education.
• Expanded Federal Housing Vouchers: By making the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) voucher program available statewide and ensuring that youth are informed about eligibility, our clients will have greater access to crucial federal housing vouchers specifically designed for youth transitioning from foster care.
• Reduced Barriers to Housing: The legislation makes it easier for youth from foster care to obtain residential leases, removing significant obstacles our clients frequently encounter when seeking independent living arrangements in Florida.
• Future Improvements: A mandated study will recommend further steps to overcome housing barriers for foster youth, potentially leading to additional supports for the youth we represent who face housing instability.

Our Commitment to Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom

At Justice for Kids, we recognize that secure housing is a foundation for success in all other areas of our clients’ lives. This Florida foster youth housing legislation represents the kind of systemic change we strive to achieve through our advocacy work. While we provide individual legal representation for children who have suffered abuse, neglect, or serious injury in foster care, we also work diligently to address the systemic issues that impact their futures.

Our commitment to child welfare extends beyond the courtroom, with Justice for Kids attorneys playing integral roles in the very organizations that championed this legislation. Justice for Kids founding partner Howard Talenfeld established Florida’s Children First in 2002 and continues to serve as its president; many of our attorneys also actively participate in its advocacy initiatives. Through this direct involvement with both Florida’s Children First and Florida Youth SHINE, our legal team helped develop and advocate for this housing legislation from inception to passage. This bill represents a successful collaboration between our legal advocacy in the courtroom and our systemic policy work through these influential organizations.

Moving Forward

As this bill moves to the Governor’s desk, our team at Justice for Kids will continue to monitor its implementation to ensure that our clients receive the full benefits this legislation promises. We remain committed to fighting for the legal rights and dignified treatment of all vulnerable children and youth in Florida’s child welfare system, particularly in addressing youth homelessness among those with foster care experience.

If you know a child who has been abused, neglected, or injured in the foster care, welfare, or disability system, call Justice for Kids at 844-4KIDLAW (844-454-3529) today. Our experienced attorneys specialize in protecting the rights of vulnerable children and can help ensure they receive the care, compensation, and justice they deserve. Don’t wait to get help for a child in need – contact our team now for a consultation.