February 24, 2023

Wyden, Merkley: Housing Authority of Portland Earns Nearly $1 Million to Help Older Children in Foster Care

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced the Housing Authority of Portland has earned a federal award of nearly $1 million in vouchers to help the community respond to homelessness challenges faced by foster children in welfare.

“Foster kids throughout Oregon often need support to help them face the challenges in their lives,” Wyden said. “Housing is a human right, and I’m glad these federal resources will help young adults in the Portland area find stable housing, and I’ll keep battling for similar resources throughout the state.”

“Every young person needs and deserves stability and adult support as they transition from childhood to adulthood, and foster kids in Oregon are no different,” said Merkley. “I am pleased that the City of Portland is receiving additional resources to help more of our foster youth find safe places to call home.”

The $997,110 from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development in vouchers through the Foster Youth to Independence program is investing in a community response to homelessness faced by children in welfare. These vouchers will go to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is causing children to enter or remain in foster care; the vouchers can also be used to secure housing for youth aging out of foster care. 

“We’re grateful for the opportunity this award provides to grow our partnership with Oregon DHS, the Joint Office of Homeless Services and the agencies of Multnomah County’s Homeless Youth continuum to support some of the most vulnerable young adults in our community,” said Ivory Mathews, Executive Director, Home Forward. ‘Youth experiencing homelessness is a growing concern in our community and nationally. Providing youth with stable housing assistance as they transition out of the foster care system is an effective solution to preventing homelessness. This award will help us do that.”