The Child Welfare Housing Program provides access to housing vouchers, temporary rental assistance, housing navigation, and case management supports for families with a child who is dependent or at risk for foster care when the family's housing instability is a factor or barrier to reunification.
Services are provided by community-based organizations under contract with DCYF. The goal of the CWHP is to prevent the need for foster care placement and shorten the length of time that children remain in out-of-home care when placement is necessary. These services are provided in conjunction with federal housing vouchers provided by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) through the Family Unification Program (FUP). CWHP providers can assist families in applying for a housing voucher, where available. Child Welfare eligible families may be eligible for a voucher and/or other housing supportive services depending on availability (additional PHA restrictions may apply).
Referrals may be made by a DCYF caseworker, an attorney, guardian ad litem, parent ally, Office of Public Defense social worker, the court and/or the family themselves.