Creating a Path to Self-Sufficiency Through FYI

HUD Region IX, Regional Administrator Chris Patterson with Christian (foster youth) in his new home.

HUD LA Field Office staff and San Francisco Regional Office Leadership along with Orange County United Way's "United to End Homelessness" Leaders.

Orange County United Way "United to End Homelessness" Foster Youth to Independence Event. HUD Region IX, Regional Administrator Chris Patterson (far left).

The Orange County United Way recently hosted Pacific region leadership and Los Angeles Field Office staff to share the successes of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI) (https://abc7.com/society/new-housing-initiative-helps-former-foster-children-in-oc-escape-homelessness/5770249/) collaboration between the City of Santa Ana Housing Authority, County of Orange Social Services Agency, Orange County United Way and their United to End Homelessness (www.unitedtoendhomelessness.org) initiative.

Regional Administrator Chris Patterson, a former foster youth, delivered a heartwarming address to the foster youth that have received a voucher and have a place to call home in Orange County, California.

United to End Homelessness is focused on ending homelessness in Orange County. Their efforts include WelcomeHomeOC (www.unitedtoendhomelessness.org/welcomehome), a private market landlord incentive program along with crowdsource funding benefiting foster youth. The pairing of the Foster Youth to Independence Initiative vouchers with private sector landlords to house the voucher holders illustrates the strong public-private sector partnership.

• Photo album (www.flickr.com/photos/ocunitedway/
  albums/72157712294374007) of the December 2019 Foster Youth to Independence event
• Contact Erich Yost of the Los Angeles Field Office.

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