Senator Favola introduced Senate Bill 773, saying, "It's the foster care housing services plan. What this bill does is it directs the department of social services to enter into a memorandum of understanding with local housing authorities and the local departments of social services to facilitate accessing federal housing vouchers." The measure directs the Department of Social Services (DSS) to coordinate with local departments and housing authorities to help eligible foster youth access the Federal Unification Housing Choice Program.

Favola told the subcommittee the program "is intended to help youth who are aging out of the foster care system and will need places to live. The social services department would be expected to work with the foster youth 90 days before the foster youth exits. So there's actually a plan. It is a important safety net." She said foster youth face higher probabilities of homelessness and vulnerability to trafficking when they lack stable housing: "We know that, our foster youth have a much higher probability of becoming homeless. They also have a higher probability of being vulnerable, to human trafficking and other elements because they don't have the stability of a safe home."

Eric Reynolds, children's ombudsman, testified in support: "I support, Senator, Favola's, bill. Appreciate her working with us in the Virginia Department of Social Services and coming up with this. Also, local departments are required to provide some transition services for foster youth who are about to age out of foster care." Reynolds said the measure’s focus on housing is an "important feature to make sure our children, the foster youth do transition" with needed services.

A committee member moved to report the bill and refer it to the Appropriations Committee; the motion was seconded and the committee opened the roll. The measure "moves on to the next step unanimously," the clerk announced. The bill will proceed to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee voted to report SB 773 and refer it to Appropriations; the clerk recorded the motion as passing unanimously.

Background and next steps: The bill would add a formal requirement for DSS to create memoranda of understanding with local housing authorities and local social services offices to facilitate use of the Federal Unification Housing Choice Program. The committee noted that approvals and funding decisions by housing authorities and federal voucher rules will still apply.