Moving from childhood to adult life is a big step and many hurdles need to be cleared for this to be a successful transition. Finding housing for former foster youth in CA is one of the biggest steps in the process, and also one of the trickiest – housing is expensive in California and getting approved to rent a place can be difficult. While transitional housing is a great step as a starting point away from foster care, it’s not the end of the road. More can be done to help young people in this situation find affordable housing that will keep them off the streets and on track toward a safe and comfortable adult life. 

Why Housing is So Hard to Find

The struggle to find housing for former foster youth in CA stems from a few underlying causes. The first, of course, is cost. It’s quite expensive to live virtually anywhere in California, and that’s particularly true for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system and haven’t yet developed their earning potential in the market. With relatively low wages, it’s quite difficult to qualify to rent even a modest apartment. Also, the lack of a rental history will make a young person in this situation look like a bigger risk than the landlord may be willing to take on. 

Getting Started Early is Key | Transitional Housing in CA 

Given the challenge that is ahead, starting as soon as possible to work on a housing plan is important. Housing for former foster youth in CA may be easier to get, for example, if one or two roommates will be contributing to the rent. So, finding those people as soon as possible – well before a transitional housing term ends – is a great step to take. It’s also possible to apply for low-income housing programs. Taking as many steps as possible before the end of transitional housing arrives will make it easier to avoid homelessness for any period of time. 

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.