Housing Justice for Young People Aging out of Foster Care in New York City
Youth aging out of New York City’s foster care system face an urgent housing crisis, with one-third unable to exit care in 2022 due to lack of housing and many others pushed into unsafe, segregated neighborhoods. Despite significant public investment, there is no unified solution. In response, the Center for Fair Futures, alongside youth leaders, one being Next100’s Cheyanne Deopersaud and partner organizations, developed a bold five-year plan to create 800 quality homes for this population. Grounded in youth-defined standards of dignity, safety, and opportunity, the strategy combines public subsidies, private capital, and policy reform.
Youth aging out of New York City’s foster care system face an urgent housing crisis, with one-third unable to exit care in 2022 due to lack of housing and many others pushed into unsafe, segregated neighborhoods. Despite significant public investment, there is no unified solution. In response, the Center for Fair Futures, alongside youth leaders, one being Next100’s Cheyanne Deopersaud and partner organizations, developed a bold five-year plan to create 800 quality homes for this population. Grounded in youth-defined standards of dignity, safety, and opportunity, the strategy combines public subsidies, private capital, and policy reform.
Cheyanne states ““When I was 19, I finally got my own space—what the system called supportive housing—but the reality shattered me. The building was filthy, unsafe, and full of neglect. I was working two jobs and going to school, yet every night I came home to urine-soaked hallways, loitering, and mice in my walls. I felt ashamed to live there—like I was expected to be grateful for being forgotten.””
Read the full report here.