The Family Unification Program is a program under which Housing Choice Vouchers are provided to:

• Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in either: 
  • The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care. 
  • The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care.  There is no time limitation on FUP family vouchers.
• Youth at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years old who: 
  • Left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and 
  • Are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.

The Housing Authority administers the Family Unification Program in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies. The Public Child Welfare Agencies initially determines if the family or youth meets the Family Unification Program eligibility requirements, certifies that the family or youth is eligible, and refers those families or youths to the Housing Authority. Once the Public Child Welfare Agency makes the referral, the Housing Authority places the Family Unification Program applicant on its HCV waiting list and determines whether the family or youth meets Housing Choice Vouchers program eligibility requirements, including income eligibility. The Housing Authority conducts all other processes relating to voucher issuance and administration.