The Chattanooga Housing Authority announced they have received funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Family Unification Program (FUP).
HUD awarded $30 million to public housing authorities nationwide and made 3,000 vouchers available for families who are unable to secure affordable housing for their children or dependents. Of that award, the Chattanooga Housing Authority was granted over $450,000 in funding and 70 available vouchers for FUP.
FUP provides rental assistance to parents struggling to provide adequate housing for their children. Additionally, this funding can be used to help provide stable housing for young adults, aged 18-24, who have aged-out of the foster care system. Like HUD’s Housing Choice Vouchers, these vouchers allow families to rent housing from a private landlord and generally pay 30 percent of their monthly-adjusted gross income towards rent and utilities.
CHA Executive Director Betsy McCright said, “We are thrilled to receive this award. With this funding, we will be able help families obtain safe and affordable housing that will enable them to stay together. It will allow local children to leave the foster care system and live with their families so they have the opportunity to thrive together.”
CHA will work closely with local public welfare agencies, including the Department of Children’s Services, to identify youth at risk of homelessness and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children are in foster care.