Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that California will distribute $56 million across 52 counties to house and support young adults leaving foster care and probation systems.

The funding addresses a critical need for approximately 9,871 young adults ages 21-24 who exited foster care at 18 or older, with another 3,000 aging out annually. These former foster youth experience homelessness at disproportionate rates, representing 10 percent of California’s homeless population under 24.

“California will continue to support our local governments in their efforts to address homelessness,” Newsom said. “We will continue to work together to help them address these local issues and ensure those experiencing homelessness have the support and care they need.”

Funding Split Among Three Programs

The California Department of Housing and Community Development allocated $33.3 million to the Transitional Housing Program, $13.7 million to the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program, and $9 million to the Transitional Housing Plus Housing Supplement Program.

“These grants will provide vital services to our young adults as they transition out of foster care and probation system so that they are able to access housing and wrap-around supports,” said Tomiquia Moss, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary.

Since 2020, these initiatives have assisted 14,048 young adults. Youth homelessness counts decreased from 11,403 in 2020 to 8,569 in 2024, according to Point in Time data.

Read more at California Department of Housing and Community Development