The state Department of Human Services has received more than $1 million in housing funds from the federal government for young people fresh out of foster care.

The money came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be used for foster children turning 18 without a permanent family who find themselves in tenuous living arrangements or substandard and overcrowded living conditions.
“Our focus in seeking this federal funding is on youth aging out of the foster care system,” said Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller. “These youth on O‘ahu will now have a better chance of getting stable housing and be much more likely to avoid homelessness.”
Approximately 150 youth age out of the foster care system every year. The bulk of the young adults, 127, are on Oahu, according to the department.
The City and County of Honolulu’s application received the award based on a formal memorandum of agreement between the city Child Welfare Services (CWS) Branch of the DHS and Hale Kipa, which provides services to foster children turning 18 and aging out of the foster care system.