Foster Youth Housing Support just got a vital boost in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $43,640 to the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority for a $1.8 million expansion of the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative. This targeted funding will provide housing vouchers to five young adults in Lynchburg, each at risk of homelessness after aging out of foster care.

The grant aligns with May’s National Foster Care Month and demonstrates HUD’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth during one of life’s most critical transitions.

Foster Youth Housing Support Expands Nationwide

Launched in 2019, the FYI program offers 36 months of housing assistance for people under 25 who have recently aged out of foster care. In Virginia, these services are now available through the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (LRHA), which will also provide access to supportive wraparound services such as:

• Career readiness programs
• Educational advancement pathways
• Mental health counseling
• Connections to permanent housing solutions

HUD Secretary Scott Turner emphasized the transformative nature of the program:

“We’ve seen example after example where this short-term housing and support is all many recipients need before launching into educational success, building a family of their own, and achieving self-sufficiency.”

The Critical Need for Foster Youth Housing Support

Each year, more than 20,000 young people age out of foster care in the United States. A quarter of them face homelessness within four years, and many more are precariously housed. Without a safety net, the transition to adulthood becomes a high-risk cliff instead of a bridge to stability.

Virginia has a growing need for this type of support. By empowering local PHAs like LRHA, HUD is helping ensure these young adults don’t fall through the cracks.

“This investment will play a critical role in keeping these individuals on track to achieve autonomy in a dignified and safe way,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

She made the remarks during the anniversary of the BE BEST initiative, a program that champions child well-being and fosters supportive community partnerships.

Why Lynchburg Matters in this Moment

Lynchburg, VA, is one of 15 cities nationwide chosen to receive FYI funding in this round. You can see a full list of recipients here. While some states received awards for 20–25 vouchers, HUD’s commitment to small communities like Lynchburg shows that every foster youth matters, regardless of geography.

With five vouchers, LRHA is positioned to support targeted, high-impact outcomes for young people who might otherwise struggle alone. These young adults will receive more than just a housing subsidy; they’ll gain a pathway to self-sufficiency.

To see how your local housing authority can get involved, visit HUD’s FYI resource page.

Collaboration Creates Lasting Change

Programs like FYI rely on local partnerships between HUD, public housing authorities, youth service providers, and nonprofits. In Virginia, these collaborations have the potential to serve as a model for sustainable, trauma-informed support for foster youth.

At Navigate, we know that affordable housing is a catalyst for transformation. When young adults are housed, communities are strengthened. That’s why we support initiatives like The Way Station in Birmingham, Alabama, not just with words, but with action.

Supporting Foster Youth in Virginia and Beyond

HUD’s $1.8 million investment in the Foster Youth to Independence initiative marks an important national step. But for the five young people in Lynchburg, Virginia, it means a lifeline to stability, opportunity, and growth.

Foster Youth Housing Support is not just a program—it’s a promise. One that says, you matter, your past doesn’t define your future, and we are here to help you succeed.

Explore HUD’s FYI program or contact your local housing authority to learn more about how you or your organization can support this mission.

List of Recipients