AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Despite requirements of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to provide transitional living services to foster care children age 14 and older, homelessness remains an issue among youth who age out of the foster care system. Transitional living services include housing services, but vague statutory language makes it difficult for the agency to prioritize and collect needed information to ensure that the housing needs of youths are considered and met.
S.B. 1117 would require DFPS to review the following provisions with youth as part of their transition plan for youths: the cost of housing in relation to youth's income; the youth's housing goals; typical rental applications and required documentation; persons who are able to cosign or serve as references for a housing application; and information regarding emergency shelters and housing resources.
As proposed, S.B. 1117 amends current law relating to housing services provided through the transitional living services program to certain children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 264.121, Family Code, by adding Subsection (i), as follows:
(i) Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to ensure that the transition plan of each youth age 16 and older includes provisions to assist the youth in managing housing needs after leaving foster care including:
(1) identify the cost of housing in relation to the youth's sources of income, including any benefits or rental assistance available to the youth;
(2) identify if one of the housing goals of the youth is to live with family or friends, that DFPS has addressed with the youth;
(A) the length of time the youth expects to stay in the housing arrangement;
(B) expectations for the youth regarding paying rent and meeting other household obligations;
(C) the youth's psychological and emotional needs, as applicable; and
(D) any potential conflicts with other household members, or any difficulties connected to the type of housing the youth is seeking, that may arise based on the youth's psychological and emotional needs;
(3) inform the youth about emergency shelters and housing resources;
(4) review a common rental application with the youth and ensure they possess all of the documentation required to obtain rental housing; and
(5) identify any individuals who are able to serve as cosigners or references on the youth's applications for housing.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.