Survey of Public Housing Authorities

OMB Control # ___________

HUD Survey:

Addressing the Housing Needs of Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

(PHA)

DRAFT

June 27, 2012

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is conducting a study on the housing needs of the nearly 30,000 youth who age out of the foster care system each year. The goal of the study is to understand the issues associated with housing for youth aging out of foster care and help to develop and improve strategies for addressing these issues.

As part of that project, HUD has contracted with Mathematica Policy Research to conduct a web-based survey of public housing agencies (PHAs) and their partnering public child welfare agencies (PCWAs) in communities that use Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers. The purpose of the survey is to identify which communities allocate vouchers to youth aging out of foster care, and obtain information on how FUP vouchers work for this population. We are interested in learning from communities across the country that are currently serving FUP-eligible youth, as well as those that have done so in the past, and those that have never served eligible youth.

The questions in this survey ask you to think about FUP-eligible youth and their experiences in your program, and how these experiences differ from those of families in your community. You will also be asked about the child welfare system in your community and aspects of the program for which your role is critical. Please answer the questions thinking about your role in serving FUP-eligible youth. We will ask your partnering PCWA about their role in serving FUP-eligible youth in a separate survey.

If your agency has contracted out its FUP, please note that some questions may be better addressed by the contractor. You may wish to ask your contractor to complete those sections (you may share your log-in information if you wish) or provide you with the relevant information.

If your agency has multiple partner organizations administering FUP, please enlist the help of your largest partner to complete the survey.

This survey should take about 30 minutes to complete. If you cannot complete the survey in one sitting (or wish to have your contractor complete a portion of it), you may save your place in the survey and finish it at a later time. Please note, however, that we need to have all responses by _________________.

Thank you in advance for responding to this survey. Your responses will help the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development better understand how communities are addressing the housing needs of foster youth aging out of care.

Please contact Debra Wright, (202) 554-7576 or [email protected], at Mathematica Policy Research with any questions about the survey.

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION (FOR PHA RESPONDENT)

1. Public Housing Agency (PHA) Name [DATA PRE-POPULATED BY HUD]

2. PHA ID Number [DATA PRE-POPULATED BY HUD]

3. So that we know who in [FILL WITH Q1] is responding to this survey, please provide your contact information:

Name

Position

Phone Number

Email

4. How long have you been employed by [FILL WITH Q1] (in any position or title)?

II. FUP SCREENER 1

5. Our records indicate that your PHA CURRENTLY operates the Family Unification Program (FUP) or contracts with another agency to administer your FUP. Is this correct?

 Yes 1 CONTINUE

 No 0 SKIP TO END

III. FUP SCREENER 2

6. Has your agency, or an agency you work with to administer the FUP, served a FUP-eligible YOUTH with a FUP voucher IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS, that is, since [FILL DATE]?

 Yes 1 SKIP TO CURRENT

FUP-FOR-YOUTH MODULE B

 No 0 CONTINUE

 Don’t Know d SKIP TO END

IV. FUP SCREENER 3

7. Has your agency EVER served a FUP-eligible youth with a FUP voucher?

 Yes 1 SKIP TO PAST

FUP-FOR-YOUTH MODULE C

 No 0 SKIP TO NEVER

FUP-FOR-YOUTH MODULE D

 Don’t Know d SKIP TO END

END. Thank you for your time. We appreciate your responses. Those are all the questions we have for you today.

I. PHA’S HISTORICAL USE OF FUP FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE

The questions in this section ask about your agency and its history with the Family Unification Program (FUP).

1. Does your PHA administer the FUP or do you contract with another organization(s) to administer the FUP for you?

 Your PHA administers the FUP 1

 Another organization administers the FUP 2

If another agency administers your FUP, please note that some questions may be better addressed by that contractor. You may wish to ask your contractor to complete those sections or provide you with the relevant information.

2. What was the FIRST year you served a FUP-eligible youth through your agency’s Family Unification Program (FUP)? If you are unsure, please provide your best estimate.

YEAR

3. What was the MOST RECENT year you served a FUP-eligible youth through your agency’s Family Unification Program (FUP)? If you are unsure, please provide your best estimate.

YEAR [PROGRAM YEAR CHECK WHERE Q2 >= Q3]

4. What are the reasons your agency decided to serve FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers?

Select all that apply

 HUD requirement that FUP vouchers be used to serve FUP-eligible youth as well FUP-eligible families 1

 Many youth age out of foster care in this community 2

 The housing needs of youth aging out of foster care are not being met in other ways in the community 3

 Homelessness among former foster youth is a big problem in your community 4

 Former foster youth comprise a large share of HCV applicants 5

 Addressing the housing needs of former foster youth is a priority for your agency or in your community 6

 Addressing the housing needs of youth generally is a priority for your agency or in your community 7

 Addressing the housing needs of former foster youth is a priority for the Public Child Welfare Agency 8

 Linking supportive services to subsidized housing is a priority 9

 The public child welfare agency has the resources to provide the required support services 10

 Other (SPECIFY) 11

S pecify

II. PARTNER PCWA: CONTACT INFORMATION AND COLLABORATION

5. What is the name of your partner public child welfare agency (PCWA)? Please provide the name of the partner PCWA itself, even if your partner PCWA contracts services to another provider that interacts with your PHA.

5 a. As part of this project, we will be contacting your partnering PCWA to ask them some additional questions about the FUP and services they provide to youth transitioning out of foster care.

Who is your contact person at the PCWA? Please indicate below the person at [FILL Q5] that you contact the most. This person can be of any position or title.

5 b. What is this person’s title/position?

5 c. What is your contact person’s telephone number?

5 d. What is your contact person’s email address?

T he next few questions ask about your agency’s collaboration with [FILL NAME FROM Q5].

6. How familiar are you with each of the following?

	Select one per row
	VERY	SOMEWHAT	NOT AT ALL
a. Characteristics of youth aging out of foster care and their housing needs	2 	1 	0 
b. [FILL Q5]’s procedures for identifying FUP-eligible youth	2 	1 	0 
c. [FILL Q5]’s procedures for referring FUP-eligible youth to your agency	2 	1 	0 
d. Housing search assistance provided to FUP-eligible youth by [FILL Q5] or contracted providers	2 	1 	0 
e. [FILL Q5]’s provision of supportive services to FUP-eligible youth	2 	1 	0 

7. Has [FILL NAME FROM Q5] ever provided your staff with training on the following?

	YES	NO
a. Characteristics of youth aging out of foster care and their housing needs	1 	0 
b. How [FILL Q5] identifies FUP-eligible youth	1 	0 
c. How [FILL Q5] refers FUP-eligible youth to your agency	1 	0 
d. The types of housing search assistance provided to FUP-eligible youth by [FILL Q5] or contracted providers	1 	0 
e. The types of supportive services provided to FUP-eligible youth by [FILL Q5] or contracted providers	1 	0 
f. Other (SPECIFY)	1 	0 

8. [IF ANY OF Q7a THROUGH Q7f=YES, THEN ASK] Considering all trainings [FILL NAME FROM Q5] provides to your staff, how often does training occur? Include both formal and informal training sessions provided by [FILL NAME FROM Q5] to your staff, but do not include meetings or briefings. If training occurred only during project start-up, select “Less than once per year.”

Select one only

 Less than once per year 1

 Annually 2

 Twice a year 3

 Quarterly 4

 More than once per quarter 5

 Don’t Know d

9. Has your staff ever provided [FILL NAME FROM Q5] with training on the following?

	YES	NO
a. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program eligibility	1 	0 
b. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher briefings	1 	0 
c. Housing search and lease-up processes within the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program	1 	0 
d. Tracking and reporting requirements associated with the FUP	1 	0 
e. FUP-eligibility and other FUP requirements	1 	0 
f. Other (SPECIFY)	1 	0 

10. [IF ANY OF Q9a THROUGH Q9f=YES, THEN ASK]

Considering all trainings your staff provides [FILL NAME FROM Q5], how often does training occur? Include both formal and informal training sessions provided by [FILL NAME FROM Q5] to your staff, but do not include meetings or briefings. If training occurred only during project start-up, select “Less than once per year.”

Select one only

 Less than once per year 1

 Annually 2

 Twice a year 3

 Quarterly 4

 More than once per quarter 5

 Don’t Know d

11. Does your agency have regularly scheduled meetings with [FILL Q5] about serving FUP-eligible youth? If meetings took place only at program start-up, select “No.”

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

12. How often are these meetings held?

Select one only

 Weekly 1

 Monthly 2

 Quarterly 3

 Twice a year 4

 Annually 5

13. [IF Q11=1] Apart from any regular meetings, how often does your agency communicate with [FILL Q5] about serving FUP-eligible youth (either by phone, email, or in-person)?

[IF Q11=0] How often does your agency communicate with [FILL Q5] about serving FUP-eligible youth (either by phone, email, or in-person)?

Select one only

 Daily 1

 Weekly 2

 Monthly 3

 Quarterly 4

 Other (SPECIFY) 5

S pecify

III. FUP VOUCHERS FOR FUP-ELIGIBLE YOUTH: VOUCHER ALLOCATION AND PROCESS

A. FUP VOUCHER ALLOCATION

The questions in this next section ask about your current Family Unification Program.

14. [ASK IF DATA NOT PROVIDED BY HUD] What is your agency’s baseline number of FUP vouchers?

NUMBER OF VOUCHERS

15. As of today, how many FUP vouchers are currently leased up by FUP-eligible youth? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

NUMBER OF VOUCHERS

16. Does your agency set aside a specific number or percentage of FUP vouchers for FUP-eligible youth?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q18

17. How many or what percentage of FUP vouchers are set aside for FUP-eligible youth? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

a . NUMBER OF VOUCHERS

OR

b . PERCENT OF VOUCHERS

B. FUP IDENTIFICATION, REFERRAL, AND ELIGIBILITY

The next few questions ask about the FUP referral process and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program eligibility determination.

18. On average, how many referrals for FUP-eligible youth does your agency receive in a typical quarter from [FILL Q5]? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

AVERAGE NUMBER OF REFERRALS PER QUARTER

19. Approximately what percentage of the FUP-eligible youth who are referred to your agency ultimately lease up using a FUP voucher? If you do not know the exact percentage, your best guess is fine.

Select one only

 Less than 25% 1

 At least 25% but less than 50% 2

 About 50% 3

 More than 50% but less than 75% 4

 More than 75% 5

 Don’t Know d

20. Does [FILL Q5] pre-screen youth for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher eligibility prior to referring them to your agency?

 Yes 1

 No 0

 Don’t Know d

21. Does your agency have an expedited or streamlined Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher eligibility determination process for FUP-eligible youth who have been referred by [FILL Q5]?

 Yes 1

 No 0

C. FUP HOUSING SEARCH AND SELECTION

The next set of questions asks about the housing search process for FUP-eligible youth who have had a voucher briefing.

22. Once a FUP voucher has been issued to a FUP-eligible youth, how much time is a youth initially given for the housing search and lease-up process? We are interested in the initial voucher term for FUP-eligible youth.

Select one only

 60 days 1

 90 days 2

 120 days 3

 More than 120 days 4

23. How often are FUP-eligible youth able to find a suitable housing unit before their initial voucher term expires?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

24. How often does your agency grant an extension to FUP-eligible youth whose initial voucher term is going to expire?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

25. How much time is typically necessary for FUP-eligible youth to lease up, compared to the amount of time for participants in the standard Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Select one only

 Youth typically require MORE time to lease up 1

 Youth typically require ABOUT THE SAME amount of time to lease-up 2

 Youth typically require LESS time to lease up 3

 Don’t Know d

26. Does your agency, or your agency’s contracted provider, provide any of the following types of housing search assistance to FUP‑eligible youth? Please do not include assistance that is only provided by [FILL Q5] or [FILL Q5]’s contractor.

	YES	NO
a. Provide information about different neighborhoods	1 	0 
b. Take youth on neighborhood tours	1 	0 
c. Transport youth to visit housing units	1 	0 
d. Provide a listing of vacant rental units	1 	0 
e. Refer youth to property managers/landlords known to accept FUP vouchers	1 	0 
f. Work with landlords/property managers to help youth secure housing	1 	0 
g. Provide information about tenant rights and responsibilities	1 	0 
h. Provide information about subsidized housing including eligibility requirements	1 	0 
i. Provide information about public transportation services	1 	0 
j. Help youth locate housing near school or work	1 	0 
k. Other (SPECIFY)	1 	0 

27. Does your agency, or your agency’s contracted provider, provide assistance to FUP-eligible youth in their search for a suitable housing unit, beyond what your agency provides to participants in the standard Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program? Please do not include housing search assistance that is only provided by [FILL Q5] or [FILL Q5]’s contractor.

 Yes 1

 No 0

 Don’t Know d

28. Does your agency, or your agency’s contracted provider, provide FUP-eligible youth with…

	YES	NO
a. Pre-move counseling?	1 	0 
b. Post-move counseling?	1 	0 

29. [IF Q28a=1 OR Q28b=1 THEN ASK] What does this counseling include?

	YES	NO
a. Information about tenant rights and responsibilities	1 	0 
b. Information about budgeting	1 	0 
c. Information about credit	1 	0 
d. Information about landlord mediation	1 	0 
e. Information about the benefits of living in low-poverty areas (low poverty areas are areas where the poverty rate is 10% or less)	1 	0 
f. Other (SPECIFY)	1 	0 

30. Does your agency, or your agency’s contracted provider, encourage youth to consider housing units in low-poverty areas, that is areas where the poverty rate is 10% or less?

 Yes 1

 No 0

D. ADEQUACY OF HOUSING CHOICE USING FUP

31. Please indicate to what degree each of the following appears to be a barrier or an incentive for landlords to lease to a FUP-eligible youth?

	Select one per row
	STRONG BARRIER	BARRIER	NEITHER BARRIER OR INCENTIVE	INCENTIVE	STRONG INCENTIVE	DON’T KNOW
a. Age (lessee is a young adult)	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	d 
b. Lessee is supported by case management	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	d 
c. Lessee is a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program/FUP voucher holder	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	d 
d. Lessee has limited tenancy history	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	d 
e. The FUP voucher is limited to 18 months	1 	2 	3 	4 	5 	d 

32. How often does your agency engage in any outreach to educate landlords or property managers about FUP for youth who have aged out of foster care? This outreach may be in combination with or in addition to outreach to educate landlords or property managers about the standard Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Select one only

 At least once a month 1

 Every few months 2

 At least once per year 3

 Less than once a year 4

 Never 0

E. TENANCY APPROVAL, LEASE-UP, AND MOVE-IN

33. How often do FUP-eligible youth typically need to submit more than one request tenancy approval before finding a unit that your agency approves?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

34. How does the number of requests for tenancy approval made by FUP-eligible youth compare to the number made by participants in the standard Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Select one only

 Youth typically request tenancy approval on MORE units before lease-up 1

 Youth typically request tenancy approval on ABOUT THE SAME number of units before lease-up 2

 Youth typically request tenancy approval on FEWER units before lease-up 3

 Don’t Know d

35. How often do the housing units for which FUP-eligible youth request tenancy approval fail inspection during the PHA housing quality inspection?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

36. How often do FUP-eligible youth request tenancy approval for units for which the rent is determined to be unreasonable during the PHA review?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

37. What percentage of the FUP-eligible youth who are issued a FUP voucher successfully lease-up?

Select one only

 Less than 25% 1

 At least 25% but less than 50% 2

 About 50% 3

 More than 50% but less than 75% 4

 More than 75% 5

 Don’t Know d

F. POST-MOVE IN STATUS AND SERVICES

The next set of questions asks about the housing stability of FUP-eligible youth once they lease up.

38. How long do FUP-eligible youth typically stay in the FIRST housing unit leased with a FUP voucher?

Select one only

 Less than 3 months 1

 3 to 6 months 2

 7 to 12 months 3

 13 to 18 months 4

 More than 18 months (i.e., youth remain in the unit after voucher expires) 5

 Don’t Know d

39. How often do youth stay in that FIRST housing unit for the full 18 months they are eligible for the FUP subsidy?

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

40. On average, about how many times do FUP-eligible youth move from one housing unit to another with their FUP voucher during their 18 months of eligibility? An estimate is fine. Please do not include moves associated with the end of the 18 months of FUP eligibility or termination from the program.

Select one only

 0 0

 1 1

 2 2

 3 or more 3

 Don’t Know d

Some youth leave or are terminated from FUP before their 18 months of housing assistance payments (HAP) are exhausted. The next few questions are about youth that exit the program before 18 months have passed.

41. How often do FUP-eligible youth keep their voucher until their 18 months of HAP are exhausted? If your agency does not keep track of this number, please provide your best guess.

Select one only

 Almost always 1

 More than half of the time 2

 About half of the time 3

 Less than half of the time 4

 Almost never 5

 Don’t Know d

42. What are the most common reasons for FUP-eligible youth to be terminated from the program before their 18 months of HAP is exhausted?

Select all that apply

 Youth move out of the leased unit without giving notice 1

 Youth violate lease (e.g., damage to the unit, or nonpayment of rent) 2

 Youth violate program rules (e.g., fraud) 3

 Youth are involved in criminal activity 4

 Other reason (SPECIFY) 5

S pecify

 Don’t Know d

G. EXITING FUP AFTER 18-MONTH LIMIT

43. Does your agency,or your agency’s contracted provider) provide transitional counseling or other assistance to FUP-eligible youth as they approach their 18-month time limit? Please do not include any assistance provided by [FILL Q5] or [FILL Q5]’s contractor.

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q45

44. Does your agency, (or your agency’scontracted provider) automatically provide this transitional counseling or other assistance or must youth specifically request it? Please do not include any assistance provided by [FILL Q5] or [FILL Q5]’s contractor.

 Youth must specifically request assistance 1

 Your agency or contractor automatically provides assistance 2

IV. OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS FOR FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT

A. PUBLIC HOUSING

Now we would like to ask you some questions about your public housing waiting list and your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.

45. Does your agency currently administer a public housing program?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q56

 Don’t Know d SKIP TO Q56

46. Has your agency established local preference categories for its public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q56

47. Does your agency have a local preference on its public housing waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q50

48. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q50

49. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE

50. Does your agency have a local preference on its public housing waiting list for FUP-eligible youth whose voucher has reached the 18-month limit?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q53

51. Is there a limit on the number of youth whose FUP voucher has reached the 18-month limit that can be given preference on the public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q53

52. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH WHO REACHED

THE 18-MONTH FUP PERIOD

IF Q47=YES OR Q50=YES CONTINUE TO Q53. OTHERWISE, SKIP TO Q56.

53. [IF Q47=YES OR Q50=YES] Does your agency rank order preferences to establish a hierarchy
of applicants within your system of preferences?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q56

54. [IF Q53=YES AND Q47=YES] Where do youth who aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

55. [IF Q53=YES AND Q50=YES] Where do youth whose FUP voucher has reached the 18-month limit fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

B. SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS

56. Has your agency established local preference categories for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q66

57. Does your agency have a local preference on its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q60

58. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q60

59. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE

60. Does your agency have a local preference on its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for FUP-eligible youth whose voucher has reached the 18-month limit?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q63

61. Is there a limit on the number of youth whose FUP voucher has reached the 18-month limit that can be given preference on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q63

62. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH WHO REACHED

THE 18-MONTH FUP PERIOD

IF Q57=YES OR Q60=YES CONTINUE TO Q63. OTHERWISE, SKIP TO Q66.

63. [IF Q57=YES OR Q60=YES] Does your agency rank order preferences to establish a hierarchy of applicants within your system of preferences?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q66

64. [IF Q63=YES AND Q57=YES] Where do youth who aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

65. [IF Q63=YES AND Q60=YES] Where do youth whose FUP voucher has reached the 18-month limit fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

V. PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES USING FUP

The questions in this section ask about the challenges your agency has faced and the progress it has made in administering FUP vouchers to FUP-eligible youth.

68. Below is a list of factors that may affect your agency’s ability to administer FUP vouchers to eligible youth. For each factor, please indicate how much of a challenge it presents/has presented to your agency.

	Select one per row
	NOT A CHALLENGE	SOMEWHAT OF A CHALLENGE	MAJOR CHALLENGE
a. Rental market conditions (e.g., affordability and/or quality of appropriate rental housing)	1 	2 	3 
b. The 18-month time limit on FUP assistance	1 	2 	3 
c. Coordination with [FILL Q5]	1 	2 	3 
d. Administrative costs	1 	2 	3 
e. Service provision costs	1 	2 	3 
f. Staffing resources	1 	2 	3 
g. Wait list procedures and administration	1 	2 	3 
h. Relationships with landlords/property managers	1 	2 	3 
i. Duration of search process	1 	2 	3 
j. Complexity of leasing process (for initial units and unit changes)	1 	2 	3 
k. Inability to project-base FUP vouchers	1 	2 	3 
l. Other (SPECIFY)	1 	2 	3 

69. Please indicate how much progress your agency has made with respect to each of the following over the course of the entire period it has been awarding FUP vouchers to youth. Progress can refer to any aspect of implementation that is meaningful to your agency, such as increased efficiency or effectiveness. If your agency is not involved in an area listed, select “Don’t Know/Info Unavailable.”

	Select one per row
	NO PROGRESS	SOME PROGRESS	A GREAT DEAL OF PROGRESS	DON’T KNOW/ INFO UNAVAILABLE
a. Coordination with PCWA	0 	1 	2 	d 
b. Identification and referral process	0 	1 	2 	d 
c. Housing search and selection process	0 	1 	2 	d 
d. Lease-up and move in process	0 	1 	2 	d 
e. Increasing housing stability while youth are in the program	0 	1 	2 	d 
f. Reducing post-FUP homelessness and housing instability	0 	1 	2 	d 
g. Reducing voucher turnover	0 	1 	2 	d 

VI. PERSPECTIVES ON PRACTICE AND POLICY

70. Under the current statutory requirements, FUP-eligible youth are limited to 18-months of housing assistance payments (HAP). In your opinion, should this time limit be eliminated, reduced, extended, or remain the same?

Select one only

 Eliminated 1 SKIP TO Q72

 Reduced 2

 Extended 3

 Remain the same 4 SKIP TO Q72

 Don’t Know d

71. In your opinion, for how many months should FUP-eligible youth be eligible for HAP?

MONTHS

72. Partner PCWAs are required to provide a specific set of services to FUP-eligible youth during their 18-months of eligibility for HAP. In your opinion, should this service requirement be eliminated?

 Yes, eliminate service requirement 1

 No, do NOT eliminate service requirement 2

73. This service requirement does not apply to FUP-eligible families. Should this service requirement also apply to FUP-eligible families?

 Yes, service requirement should apply to families 1

 No, service requirement should not apply to families 2

74. If there is anything else you would like to share with HUD about serving youth with FUP, please enter your comments below.

T hank you for your time. We appreciate your responses. They will help the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development better understand and plan for housing services for transitioning foster youth.

I. PHA’S HISTORY OF USING FUP FOR FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT OF CARE

The questions in this section ask about your agency’s history with the Family Unification Program (FUP).

1. What was the FIRST year you served a FUP-eligible youth through your agency’s Family Unification Program (FUP)? If you are unsure, please make your best estimate.

YEAR

2. What was the most recent year you served a FUP-eligible youth through your agency’s Family Unification Program (FUP)? If you are unsure, please make your best estimate.

YEAR [PROGRAM YEAR CHECK WHERE Q1 >= Q2]

II. REASONS FUP VOUCHERS NOT AWARDED TO FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT

3. Why is your agency no longer serving FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers?

Select all that apply

 Too few youth age out of foster care in this community 1

 Housing needs of youth aging out foster care are being met in other ways 2

 Your agency prefers to devote all of its FUP vouchers to families 3

 18-month time limit for FUP-eligible youth created an excessive burden for your agency 4

 The public child welfare agency does not have the resources to provide the required support services 5

 Lack of or weak working relationship with the public child welfare agency 6

 Any other reasons (SPECIFY) 7

Specify

 Don’t Know d

4. How likely is it that your agency will serve FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers in the future?

Select one only

 Not at all likely 1

 Somewhat likely 2

 Very likely 3

 Don’t know d

5. Which of the following would increase the likelihood that your agency would serve FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers in the future?

Select all that apply

 If your agency was awarded additional FUP vouchers 1

 If your agency received assistance with establishing and/or strengthening collaboration with your local PCWA 2

 If your agency received training to aid your understanding of the particular housing needs of young adults 3

 If your agency received guidance from successful models for serving youth aging out of foster care through FUP 4

 If additional resources were made available to provide services and supports to FUP-eligible youth once they have leased up 5

 If the 18-month time limit was removed 6

 Any other reasons (SPECIFY) 7

Specify

 Don’t Know d

III. OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS FOR FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT

A. PUBLIC HOUSING

First, we would like to ask you some questions about your public housing waiting list and your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.

6. Does your agency currently administer a public housing program?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

 Don’t Know d SKIP TO Q13

7. Has your agency established local preference categories for its public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

8. Does your agency have a local preference on its public housing waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

9. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

10. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE

11. Does your agency rank order your preferences to establish a hierarchy of applicants within the system of preferences for your public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q13

12. Where do youth who aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

B. SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS

We are interested in knowing more about your agency’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

13. Has your agency established local preference categories for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q19

14. Does your agency have a local preference on its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

Yes 1

No 0 SKIP TO Q19

15. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q19

16. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE

17. Does your agency rank order preferences to establish a hierarchy of applicants within your system of preferences for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q19

18. Where do youth who have aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

21. If there is anything else you would like to share with HUD about serving youth with FUP, please enter your comments below.

E ND. Thank you for your time. We appreciate your responses. They will help the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development better understand and plan for housing services for transitioning foster youth.

I. REASONS FUP VOUCHERS NOT AWARDED TO FOSTER YOUTH

1. Why has your agency never served FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers?

Select all that apply

 The public child welfare agency (PCWA) has never referred a youth to your program 1

 Too few youth age out of foster care in this community 2

 Housing needs of youth aging out foster care are met in other ways 3

 Your agency prefers to devote all of its vouchers to families 4

 18-month time limit for FUP-eligible youth would create an excessive burden for your agency 5

 The PCWA does not have the resources to provide the required support services 6

 Lack of or weak working relationship with the public child welfare agency 7

 Any other reasons (SPECIFY) 8

Specify

 Don’t Know d

2. How likely is it that your agency will serve FUP-eligible youth with FUP vouchers in the future?

Select one only

 Not at all likely 1

 Somewhat likely 2

 Very likely 3

 Don’t Know d

3. Which of the following would increase the likelihood that your agency would serve FUP‑eligible youth with FUP vouchers in the future?

Select all that apply

 If your agency were awarded additional FUP vouchers 1

 If your agency received assistance with establishing and/or strengthening collaboration with your local PCWA 2

 If your agency received training to aid your understanding of the particular housing needs of young adults 3

 If your agency received guidance from successful models for serving youth aging out of foster care through FUP 4

 If additional resources were made available to provide services and supports to FUP-eligible youth once they have leased up 5

 If the 18-month time limit were removed 6

 Any other reasons (SPECIFY) 7

Specify

 Don’t Know d

II. OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS FOR FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT

A. PUBLIC HOUSING

First, we would like to ask you some questions about your public housing waiting list and your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.

4. Does your agency currently administer a public housing program?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q11

 Don’t Know d SKIP TO Q11

5. Has your agency established local preference categories for its public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q11

6. Does your agency have a local preference on its public housing waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q11

7. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q9

8. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT ON YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE

9. Does your agency rank order your preferences to establish a hierarchy of applicants within the system of preferences for your public housing waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q11

10. Where do youth who aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

B. SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS

We are interested in knowing more about your agency’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

11. Has your agency established local preference categories for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q17

12. Does your agency have a local preference on its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for youth who have aged out of foster care?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q17

13. Is there a limit on the number of youth who have aged out of foster care that can be given preference on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP Q15

14. What is that limit? If you do not know the exact number, your best guess is fine.

LIMIT

15. Does your agency rank order preferences to establish a hierarchy of applicants within your system of preferences for your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list?

 Yes 1

 No 0 SKIP TO Q17

16. Where do youth who have aged out of foster care fall in the ranking of preference categories?

Select one only

 Top third 1

 Middle third 2

 Bottom third 3

74. If there is anything else you would like to share with HUD about serving youth with FUP, please enter your comments below.

E ND. Thanks very much for your time. Your responses will help the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development better understand the housing services provided by different communities to youth aging out of foster care.