Florida Enacts 'Young Adult Housing Support' Law to Aid Foster Youth Transition

Florida has made a significant advancement in supporting youth transitioning out of foster care with the 'Young Adult Housing Support' law, signed by Governor DeSantis on June 27, 2025. This legislation aims to tackle housing instability, a major obstacle that often disrupts the educational and career paths of former foster youth. With unanimous bipartisan support, the law broadens access to Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) housing vouchers across the state, gives priority to these young adults for campus housing and work-study programs, and aids in securing residential leases.

The enactment of this law is largely due to the advocacy by Florida Youth SHINE (FYS), a youth-led group under Florida’s Children First (FCF). FYS members, many with personal experiences of aging out of foster care, were instrumental in emphasizing the need for housing support. Their campaign included engaging with over 80 legislators during the legislative session, sharing firsthand accounts of homelessness and housing insecurity.

Before this legislation, FYI vouchers were accessible in only 17 of Florida’s 67 counties, significantly restricting availability for eligible youth. The new law removes these geographical limitations and requires efforts to inform young adults about their eligibility for housing assistance. It also tasks the state with identifying and overcoming any additional obstacles to housing for this at-risk group.

The 'Young Adult Housing Support' law represents a comprehensive strategy to provide stable housing, allowing former foster youth to concentrate on their education and career aspirations without the fear of homelessness. This initiative signifies a major step forward in Florida's commitment to aiding its most vulnerable young adults in their journey toward independence.