Austin, Texas Tackles Foster Care and Homelessness

LifeWorks has developed programs for mental health, housing, basic needs and employment.

“Members from the City of Austin, the State of Texas, the Trump Administration and LifeWorks testified before the Texas House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs on ways to improve housing opportunities for youth exiting foster care.

“Here in Austin, we recognize and have stated clearly that we must intervene earlier to ensure all young people exiting foster care have access to the safe and stable housing they need to achieve self-sufficiency and economic mobility,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

Testimony focused on federal Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) vouchers and increasing housing resources and for young Texans.

Between 2020 and 2025, nearly 6,000 youth transitioned out of the state’s foster care system.

“Youth homelessness has absolutely increased over the last several years,” said Liz Schoenfeld, CEO of LifeWorks. “The foster care system and the juvenile legal system are particular feeders into youth homelessness.”

Schoenfeld says because of this they need to do more to support these kids and young adults.

“In Austin, 59% of young people who are unhoused have a history of involvement in the child welfare system,” Schoenfeld said.

Schoenfeld says the vouchers are available for young people who meet the eligibility criteria up until their 25th birthday.

“But unfortunately state funded services for young people who have experienced the foster care system expire after their 21st birthday,” said Schoenfeld.

Because the FYI vouchers are most effective when they are accompanied by supportive services, LifeWorks and others are hoping the state can make an investment to fill the gaps.

“The goal is to lay foundation for work happening next legislative session,” said Schoenfeld.

As of August 2025, over half of the 1,171 young people experiencing homelessness in Austin have touched the child welfare system. LifeWorks hopes these committee discussions can put a spotlight on the issue and help these kids and young adults.

In January 2025, the City of Austin and LifeWorks put together a task force focused on preventing homelessness among young people exiting foster care, they also put together a report.

Austin has emerged as a statewide leader in implementation, increasing its FYI voucher allocation to 127 vouchers over the past five years and accounting for the largest share of the approximately 650 vouchers currently in use across Texas.

If implemented by the State of Texas, the proposal could enable Texas communities to fully utilize available FYI resources and unlock an estimated 1,850 additional housing vouchers for young people transitioning from foster care.”

Austin nonprofit tackles foster care, homelessness
[KXAN 6/24/26 by Nabil Remadna]

REFORM Puzzle Piece