Albany foster youth aging out of care and City of Albany recognized by HUD

Foster youth aging out of foster care are often prone to unemployment and homelessness but the HUD Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative is helping provide them housing stability, increased self-sufficiency and hope for a brighter future.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett recently virtually recognized City of Albany Mayor Bo Dorough, W. Frank Wilson - Board Chair, Albany Housing Authority, Albany Housing Authority Executive Director Dr William Myles and Treena White - Division of Family and Children Services for working together to assist Eshontee Rowe, the city's first HUD Foster Youth to Independence housing voucher recipient.

"It is so encouraging to know that HUD's Foster Youth to Independence initiative is making a difference in Eshontee's life and the lives of so many other foster youth aging out of care," said Cleveland-Leggett. "Thanks to the efforts of the City of Albany and the housing authority working in partnership with HUD we are helping those we mutually serve achieve their version of the American dream."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that more than 20,000 young people age out of foster care each year. The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare (NCHCW) estimates that approximately 25% of these young people experience homelessness within four years of leaving foster care and an even higher share are precariously housed.

HUD Georgia, Director of Operations Shea Johnson commended the City of Albany and Albany Housing Authority leadership in helping bring the benefits of the FYI to fruition. Johnson and her staff were responsible for organizing and conducting the recognition program.

Mayor Bo Dorough related that he was appreciative of HUD's efforts and especially Secretary Carson for the Foster Youth to Independence program as it is helping make the plight of foster youth aging out of care more visible and helping them as well to experience more positive outcomes in their lives.

As the City of Albany's first Foster Youth Independence housing voucher recipient Eshontee Rowe expressed her thankfulness as she "stepped out in out in faith and with the help of the City of Albany you saw me," was able to acquire much needed housing assistance during a very challenging time in her life.

Dr. William Myles, CEO Albany Housing Authority expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the City of Albany Mayor Bo Dorough, W. Frank Wilson - Board Chair, and HUD for the FYI program as it helps raise to greater heights of hope, opportunity and prosperity those in the program. Having lived in public housing for twenty years Dr. Myles related that he knows firsthand what this program will mean to those in need.

Due to the ongoing pandemic the original Albany recognition ceremony scheduled earlier in the year to recognize the award of over $160,000 of HUD FYI funds was delayed until the recent virtual recognition ceremony.

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