Every year, more than 200 youth in the Houston area exit foster care when they reach 18 or graduate from high school. Unfortunately, many of these individuals risk becoming homeless within two years of leaving foster care. To combat this issue, The Hay Center has broken ground on a new $39 million campus to house aging out-of-foster-care youth.
The center will span 41,000 square feet and feature 50 units for affordable housing as well as an additional 17,125 square foot facility offering wraparound services related to education and employment opportunities; case management; life skills training; mentoring programs; and housing assistance.
The residential building will include efficiency apartments along with one bedroom options plus community space with a kitchenette, small gymnasiums , business centers , private study rooms . It is intended to serve homeless young adults aged 18 – 24 who are at or below 50 percent of the area’s median income . Five units have been specifically designed for single parents accompanied by one child .
Construction is estimated to take 14 months before completion . This project aims to provide much needed support systems for those transitioning out of foster care into adulthood while also helping reduce homelessness among former fosters in Houston’s communities.
