housing support

DCFS provides housing support through the Youth Housing Assistance Program (YHAP), Norman Cash Assistance, and the Family Advocacy Centers. To find out more about Norman Cash Assistance, check out this brochure. YHAP and Family Advocacy Centers are explained in more detail below.

youth housing assistance program (Yhap)

YHAP workers can help you attain or maintain housing stability. There are two parts to Youth Housing Assistance: Housing Advocacy and Cash Assistance, each of which is explained below.

Housing Advocacy
Housing advocacy services assist clients in obtaining and/or maintaining stable housing. Services include:

  • Assistance in securing affordable housing

  • Consumer education

  • Budget counseling

  • Linkages to community based resources (i.e. assistance with utilities, clothing and food)

Follow-up services for a minimum of three months after the client secures appropriate housing

Eligibility:
Youth receiving housing advocacy services must meet all three of the following criteria:

  • Be at least 17 ½ and less than 21 years of age; (Youth referred for a Family Unification Program or Fostering Youth
    Initiative housing subsidy can receive services after they turn 21.)

  • Be legally the responsibility of DCFS within six months of case closure, or have aged out of DCFS care; (Note: Youth
    that entered adoption or subsidized guardianship after their 14th birthday are also eligible.); and

  • Have an income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs; or be working on obtaining that income. (While housing advocacy can begin before income is in place, it is extremely unlikely that youth will be able to secure
    housing without sufficient income. Housing advocates can often help with employment.)

Cash Assistance

Assistance will vary depending on your situation. For more information on DCFS’ cash assistance program click here.

Cash assistance may be authorized for the following reasons:

Housing security deposit

  • Rent (limited circumstances)

  • Beds for the client and the client’s children

  • Current utility bills or utility deposits

  • Appliances

  • Partial housing subsidy for a period of one year following case closure (housing costs must exceed 30% of income
    and assistance cannot continue past the client’s 21st birthday)

  • Other items required by the client to avoid or manage a crisis

Eligibility:
To receive Cash Assistance, you must meet all four of the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 and less than 21 years of age; (Youth referred for a Family Unification Program or Fostering Youth Initiative housing subsidy can receive services after they turn 21.)

  • Be legally the responsibility of DCFS and ready for case closure or have aged out of DCFS care. (Note: Youth that moved to adoption or subsidized guardianship after age 16 may be eligible for cash assistance);

  • Have completed a budget statement (Form CFS 370-5C) that demonstrates that with any subsidy and all other income they will be able to cover all remaining living expenses (e.g. housing, utilities, clothing, food); and

  • Need cash assistance in order to attain or maintain stable housing

For more information, contact the Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator at 312-328-2159 (Phone) or 312-328-2166 (Fax).

family advocacy centers

Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) provide tailored services to youth and families. In addition to traditional counseling, referral and training services, a typical center may also offer the following services:

  • 24-hour crisis response and systematic support services;

  • Intensive mediation services;

  • Counseling for women and children who are victims of domestic violence;

  • After-school, summer and out-of-school programs;

  • Parent coaching, mentoring and classes in English and Spanish;

  • Execution of intervention strategies to support the family reunification process; and

  • Court ordered supervised child visitation for non-custodial parents.

If you are a former youth in care, and under the age of 30, you can either be referred to a FAC or you can call one of the agencies on the list or walk right in! If you are aging out of care, you may also want to visit an FAC, so that you have a spot to reach out to if you need a hand as you transition into independence. FACs will serve as a one-stop shop for information, connections and support to help alumni maintain stability in the community.

To access a list of Family Advocacy Centers by zip code or your location, you can visit SPIDER and:

  • Enter your zip code or an address

  • Select “Maximum Distance” from the dropdown

  • Click “Locate Address”

  • Click on “Keyword”

  • Type in “Family Advocacy Center”

  • Click “Search” and scroll down to see the listing of FACs nearest you

You can also refer to this DCFS list of FACs. For more information, read the Alumni Foster Care Services brochure and poster.

If you are leaving care soon or have left care and are not 26 yet, you might also be eligible for a family unification voucher/foster youth to independence voucher. Learn more here.

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