YWCA Oklahoma City

PROJECT PURPOSE

In 2015, YWCA OKC opened a new 27,000 square foot emergency shelter for victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking. Moving from our old 13 room shelter left an empty 10,000 sq. foot former hotel (turned shelter) at the back of the YWCA OKC campus. This building from the 1950?s was considered for transitional housing but has remained empty and deteriorating due to lack of funding for renovations. After further consideration, YWCA OKC, DHS and Pivot realize we need to rebuild and utilize the building for a high-risk group of individuals ? girls aging out of foster care. Additional housing for foster alumni has been identified as a high need in Oklahoma City. YWCA OKC is passionate about this population because without intervention many of these young women will end up in our services from some form of intimate partner violence or victimization. Creating semi-independent housing, food security, addressing trauma, preventing sexual exploitation, and many other issues can be addressed through transitional housing and supportive services program for foster alumni ages 18-24. This project aligns with DHS's current housing plan and is supported by their leadership. YWCA, Pivot and DHS will work in partnership upon completion.

EVIDENCE

According to an article published by the American Journal of Public Health, ?between 11% and 36% of the youths who age out of foster care become homeless during the transition to adulthood.? By age 26, 46% had experienced at least one episode of homelessness. No one should have to worry about where to sleep at night. Unfortunately, many of the youth aging out of foster care do not have the necessary life skills or educational experience to successfully live as an adult. Even connecting with resources in the community can be daunting. Shortages in affordable housing, unsafe housing, no credit or work history, and lack of a lease co-signer are just some of the barriers foster care alumni face in obtaining stable housing. A housing affordability study by the City of Oklahoma City in spring of 2021 claims Oklahoma saw a 32.5% decrease in available apartments from 2019-2021, the 10th biggest decline, while rent increased more than 4%. The same study has the current Oklahoma City vacancy rate at 5.7% with median rent of $843, an increase of 5.6%. If intersession can happen at the point of aging out, stable housing and case management would create more positive outcomes for the foster alumni.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

COVID continues to have a profound impact on foster care alumni. According to a survey from October 2020 of foster and alumni youth ages 14 to 26 by Fostering Advocates Arizona: 1/3 reported a negative impact on their educational progress, More than 1/2 reported struggling with safe and stable housing, 2/3 reported struggling with paying bills, 2/3 reported a reduction in or loss of employment, 1/2 reported food insecurities, and 1/3 were struggling with their social-emotional health. In the same survey, housing was the most requested assistance. In Oklahoma, 48% of all children in foster care are female. Once a youth ages out, they often lose access to services and necessary support putting them at greater risk for: Housing instability and homelessness, Transportation limitations, Unemployment or unstable employment, Food insecurity, Lack of educational progress, Involvement in sex trafficking, Mental health issues, and Unplanned pregnancy (7 of 10 will be pregnant by age 21).

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

YWCA and Pivot are experienced with data collection through specific case management databases. We collect key client information including, demographics, quality of service(s) provided, and outcomes on an ongoing basis. At YWCA data is verified through our Quality Assurance team while our credentialed professional program evaluator monitors, analyzes, and reports findings to the Senior Leadership team who regularly reviews analysis and reporting to ensure clients and programs are on course to meet established benchmarks. Any additional information needed to meet ARPA requirements could be easily integrated into these systems.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma