Step-by-step guide

How to find housing after you age out of foster care

The short answer

First, ask whether you can stay in foster care past 18. Many states let you stay to 21 if you're in school, working at least 80 hours a month, in a job program, or have a medical reason you can't. Some states also let you come back before 21 if you left.1 10 12

If you've left care, ask your caseworker or independent living worker about Chafee help with rent and a HUD Foster Youth to Independence voucher. That voucher helps young adults 18 to 24 who are homeless or at risk pay rent for up to 36 months, and sometimes up to 60.2 5 4

Updated October 2026. Rules differ by state, so call your office before you go. Questions? We're here: call or text 888-860-RISE.

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Still in care? Make the housing plan with your caseworker

In the 90 days before you turn 18 (or the later age your state uses), your caseworker must help you build a transition plan that covers your housing options, health insurance, school, and work.1

Ask for the plan in writing, and ask two questions out loud: "Can I stay in care after 18?" and "Can you refer me for a Foster Youth to Independence voucher?" A youth who will leave care within 180 days can already be referred.5

Your steps, in order

1
Ask about staying in foster care to 21
Federal law lets states keep young adults in foster care up to 19, 20 or 21. To stay, you usually need to be finishing high school or a GED, in college or job training, in a program that helps you find work, working at least 80 hours a month, or unable to do these because of a documented medical condition.1
Extended care can mean living on your own with a monthly payment. In Washington, young adults in supervised independent living get the money directly to pay living costs.11
Already left? In some states you can come back before 21. California, New York and Washington all allow it.10 12 11
2
Ask for Chafee help with rent and deposits
Every state gets federal Chafee money to help young adults who aged out. States can spend up to 30 percent of it on room and board for young adults 18 to 21, or to 23 in states that chose to serve that age.2
More than 30 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, serve young adults up to 23. In Utah, aftercare can help with rent, bills and housing deposits.3 8 9
Tip:
Ask who your state's independent living or transition coordinator is. That person usually controls Chafee aftercare money and knows which local housing programs take former foster youth.
3
Get referred for a Foster Youth to Independence voucher
HUD's Foster Youth to Independence program, now called the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Program, gives rent vouchers through local public housing agencies that partner with child welfare agencies.4
You can qualify if you are 18 to 24, you left foster care or will leave within 180 days under a transition plan, and you are homeless or at risk of homelessness at 16 or older.5
Your child welfare agency confirms you qualify and refers you to the housing agency. A school, shelter or nonprofit can flag you too, but the housing agency must confirm your foster care history with the child welfare agency. If its waiting list is closed, it must reopen it for you.5
Bring
- Photo ID, birth certificate and Social Security card
- Your foster care discharge papers or transition plan
- Proof of any income (pay stubs, benefit letters)
- A letter or notice showing you're losing housing, if you have one
4
Keep the voucher as long as you can
The voucher lasts up to 36 months. If you first leased with it after December 27, 2020, you can get up to 24 more months.5 4
To get the extra time, join your housing agency's Family Self-Sufficiency program if it offers you a spot. If it doesn't, you can qualify by being in school, a job training program or a job for at least 9 of the last 12 months. Caring for a child under 6, being in drug or alcohol treatment, or a documented medical condition also counts.6
The Family Unification Program has youth vouchers with similar rules: ages 18 to 24, homeless or at risk, 36 months plus up to 24 more.7
5
About to lose your housing? Act today
Call your caseworker or independent living worker first, even if you've already left care; ask for emergency aftercare help and an FYI referral. Then call 211 to find shelters and help paying rent or utilities.13
If you got an eviction notice, don't ignore it. Talk to a free legal aid office right away; LawHelp.org lists nonprofit legal aid by state. You can also call 888-860-RISE; we can connect you with someone on our team to plan your next move.14

State examples

Whether you can stay in care past 18, and how, depends on your state. These are examples from each state's own pages.

Utah

Utah runs extended foster care and serves young adults with Chafee aftercare up to 23. Aftercare can help with rent, bills, deposits and car costs for youth who left care at 18 or older, or were adopted or went to a guardian after 16. Call a Transition to Adult Living coordinator; DCFS lists them by office.9 8

California

You can stay in care from 18 to 21 if you had a foster care placement order on your 18th birthday and meet one of five participation conditions. Left early? Sign a voluntary re-entry agreement any time before 21.10

Washington

Extended foster care is open until 21 if you were a dependent on your 18th birthday and agree to take part. You can leave and come back before 21. Call 1-866-363-4276 to join.11

New York

Youth in foster care have the right to stay in care after 18 until 21, and to ask to come back into care between 18 and 21.12

Stuck on a step? You don't have to do this alone.

Call or text, and we'll help you find the right office and what to bring. Someone on our team can step in whenever youwhat to bring, with a real person on our team whenever you need one.apos;d like. Or become a RISING MEMBER: a mentor who's been there helps you build a plan, step by step. You do the work; we walk with you.

Call or text 888-860-RISE Become a RISING MEMBER Housing help near you

Questions people ask

Can I stay in foster care after 18?

In many states, yes, until 21, if you're in school, working at least 80 hours a month, in a job program, or have a medical reason you can't. Ask your caseworker before your 18th birthday.

What is a Foster Youth to Independence voucher?

A HUD rent voucher for young adults 18 to 24 who left foster care, or will leave within 180 days, and are homeless or at risk. It lasts up to 36 months, with up to 24 more if you meet the work, school or self-sufficiency rules.

Can I apply for an FYI voucher myself?

Not directly. Your child welfare agency must confirm you qualify and refer you to a partnering housing agency. Ask your caseworker or independent living worker, or a shelter or school can help start the referral.

I already left care. Can I get help with rent?

Often, yes. States can use Chafee money for room and board up to 21, or 23 in many states. Call your state's independent living or transition coordinator and ask about aftercare.

Where do I go tonight if I have nowhere to stay?

Call 211 to find a shelter near you, and call your former caseworker or independent living worker as soon as you can to ask for emergency help.

Keep going: more first-step guides

Sources

Official pages, read in October 2026. Rules change. If something here looks out of date, please let us know at hello@riseaid.org and we'll fix it.

1.U.S. Code (via Cornell Law School). 42 U.S.C. § 675: transition plans and extended foster care to 21
2.U.S. Code (via Cornell Law School). 42 U.S.C. § 677: Chafee program, room and board for young adults
3.Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
4.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Program
5.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Notice PIH 2026-19: Foster Youth to Independence vouchers (July 2026)
6.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities: extension requirements (webinar slides, 2022)
7.U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Family Unification Program (FUP)
8.Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Youth services: housing and transportation
9.Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Annual Progress and Services Report, FFY 2026 (June 2025)
10.California Department of Social Services. Extended Foster Care (AB 12)
11.Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Interested in Extended Foster Care? (publication CWP_0003)
12.New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Bill of Rights for Youth in Foster Care
13.211 (United Way Worldwide). Housing expenses
14.LawHelp.org (Pro Bono Net). Find legal help by state