A National Direct Rental Assistance Program Would Be a Boon for Unhoused Youth

On August 30, Sofie Fashana submitted a public comment in support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Direct Rental Assistance program. In the comment, a version of which you can read below, she advocates for this initiative as a crucial step in addressing youth homelessness by providing direct cash assistance, which would empower young people to secure stable housing and overcome barriers associated with restricted vouchers. Her feedback to the department emphasized the importance of program design simplicity for participants, manageable processes for landlords, and the protection of existing benefits.

HUD’s Direct Rental Assistance Public Comment August 30th
Office of General Counsel
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street SW, Room 4176 Washington, DC 20410-5000

August 30th, 2024

Dear HUD Review Committee,

My name is Sofie Fashana, and I am writing on behalf of Next100, an intentionally diverse start-up think tank committed to diversifying the policy-making space by empowering impacted individuals and proximate leaders to develop, research, and advocate for policy solutions. I am submitting this comment in support of the proposed changes for Direct Rental Assistance by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The growing crisis of homelessness among U.S. youth demands urgent action. With approximately 4.2 million young adults facing housing insecurity, about 1 in 10 individuals aged 18 to 24 are either currently homeless or at high risk of losing their housing. This instability significantly impacts their health, education, and economic well-being.

Young people deserve safe and stable housing without the barriers often imposed by restricted vouchers that are frequently denied. The reality of searching for appropriate rental units is becoming more challenging due to discrimination against sources of income discrimination, limited landlord involvement in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, and increasingly competitive rental markets. The HUD Direct Rental Assistance Project addresses these challenges head-on by providing essential support directly to those in need. Offering autonomy and direct resources like cash assistance is crucial for mitigating this crisis. I fully support the HUD Direct Rental Assistance Project, which represents a significant advancement in providing both autonomy and dignity to young people experiencing homelessness. By offering direct cash assistance through vouchers, this program empowers individuals to meet their housing needs as they see fit, ensuring they can secure the stable living conditions they need.

To ensure the program’s effectiveness, it should:

• Be straightforward for participants. The program should be easy to navigate for those receiving direct rental assistance. It should avoid excessive paperwork, complicated processes, or obstacles that could hinder participation.
• Be manageable for landlords and PHAs. The program should be designed to minimize unnecessary difficulties for landlords and public housing authorities. Administrative tasks should be clear and streamlined.
• Protect existing benefits. The implementation of the new program should not lead to the reduction, loss, or alteration of benefits that participants already receive from other public assistance programs. It should not interfere with other forms of support, such as food assistance, healthcare, or unemployment benefits.

By addressing these considerations, the HUD Direct Rental Assistance Project can be a powerful tool in combating the youth homelessness crisis and providing young people with the opportunity to build a stable foundation for their future. Thank you for considering my feedback.