Across its numerous voucher programs, MPHA administers nearly 7,200 Housing Choice Vouchers, helping more than 18,000 people across the region access stable, affordable housing. One of MPHA’s special purpose vouchers, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), brings rental assistance, moving-related financial assistance, and case management to youth (ages 18-24) facing housing instability who have previously lived in and/or are imminently leaving foster care.

Created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2019 through a special initiative, FYI vouchers repurposed some of HUD’s Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers to serve foster youth. These FYI vouchers required public housing authorities to partner with local Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs) and support service providers to administer the program. And because it was a special initiative, HUD issued the first FYI vouchers through a non-competitive allocation process.

In 2022, after establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hennepin County’s Children and Family Services department and partnered local service organizations to administer the FYI program, MPHA requested and received its first FYI vouchers.

Through this partnership, Hennepin County’s Children and Family Services department determines program eligibility and coordinates referrals with local service organizations to provide wraparound services. Partnered service providers include Avenues for Youth, Connections to Independence, The Link, Oasis for Youth, YouthLink, and YMCA of the North.

In addition to case management, partnered organizations provide FYI participants life skills and financial coaching, lease compliance coursework, educational counseling, job training and employment services, moving-related/start-up financial support, and apartment maintenance skills development.

In the years that followed MPHA successfully deploying the agency’s first FYI vouchers, HUD created a competitive process to award interested public housing authorities additional FYI vouchers. In 2024, MPHA applied for a new allotment of FYI vouchers. And in September 2024, HUD awarded MPHA 52 additional FYI vouchers—tripling the agency’s number of FYI vouchers it could deploy.

Earlier this year, MPHA began issuing its new allocation of FYI vouchers. And for participants like Selayya Clay, the FYI program helped her at a critical moment when she was aging out of foster care and facing numerous challenges.

“I felt like I was losing myself before I got my voucher,” said Selayya Clay, a Foster Youth to Independence participant. “Now, I feel like I’ve found myself again. I’ve gained confidence in myself and control of my life.”

Selayya received one of MPHA’s new FYI vouchers earlier this year and moved into her own apartment this past spring. Selayya had been in the foster care system since she was 15 years old, but she was entering adulthood and ready to have her own place.

Unsure of the steps to take, Selayya’s case worker recommended she get connected with YouthLink. Through YouthLink, Selayya received a variety of support services—everything from hot meals to peer support groups, healthcare, employment assistance, and housing. And it was through YouthLink that Selayya was introduced to the FYI program.

“It’s changed my life,” said Selayya.

Now 20 years old, Selayya is thriving in her own apartment in Minneapolis, supported largely by her FYI voucher. Selayya is looking forward to going back to school and earning her GED.