A Roadmap, Developed by System-Impacted Youth, to Create Safe, High-Quality, Integrated Housing in Desirable Neighborhoods for All Youth Exiting Foster Care
In 2024, The Center for Fair Futures and its Youth Advisory Board—made up of young people with lived experience in foster care—launched an ambitious plan: ensure every youth aging out of NYC’s foster care system has access to housing that supports independence and long-term success.
Their research shows it’s possible. By combining rental subsidies, mission-driven affordable housing, and fast-tracked mixed-income developments, the city could set aside 800 homes over five years for youth exiting care.
This report—produced by Fair Futures, The Children’s Village, HR&A Advisors, and Good River Partners—lays out that vision. At its core is youth voice: through the Fair Futures Housing Design Fellowship, six young leaders who’ve faced housing instability defined the quality standards every unit should meet.
Read the full report.
