Life After Foster Care
Now some apartments in Dallas County, TX could help fight homelessness among foster children “aging out” of foster care.
Government often has no business in enterprises better handled by private-sector specialists or entrepreneurs, reads an editorial in a local newspaper.
“Joining the list of worthy exceptions is a venture only the government could undertake,” reads the column referring to the complex that may be approved. “It’s only an ingenious idea at this stage but the Dallas County Commissioners Court is expected to consider it some time this month.”
The brainchild of County Judge Margaret Keliher, here’s how the concept would work according to research:
The county would rent state-owned surplus land on the east side of North Central Expressway, north of Carroll Avenue, states the judge.
Ten percent of 300 units would be set aside rent-free for former foster children, reads the proposal.
“If anyone think the county couldn’t charge handsome rents in the building just walk across Central and get a load of the prices for spinky Uptown digs,” says one advocate of the idea. “The venture also aims to avoid real public costs when people fall into homelessness.”
Keliher has long been active in Dallas’ community activities, serving on the Dallas County Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) board, as a member of the Dallas Children’s Theater Guild, the Volunteer Center of Dallas, and as an active member of Attorneys Serving the Community, according to the county commissioner’s website.
Young people transitioning out of the foster care system are significantly affected by the instability that accompanies long periods of out-of-home placement during childhood and the teenage years.
According to the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) approximately 20,000-25,000 youth age out of the foster care system yearly, many without family or economic support.
Unfortunately foster kids don’t always have the option of turning to their families for support.
In an effort to assist kids in their transition to adulthood the Foster Care Independent Act of 1999 established the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (Chafee Program), allowing states more funding and flexibility to help young people transition to adulthood. Additionally the program allows states to use up to 30 percent of their federal funds to provide room and board services to youth 18-21 years old.
