Andrew Powell
The House Education and Employment Committee has unanimously passed a measure that seeks to help and support young adults who are homeless or have been part of the child welfare system.
Hialeah Republican Rep. Alex Rizo and Pembroke Pines Democratic Rep. Marie Woodson sponsored the bipartisan bill (HB 879).
Woodson presented the legislation and detailed how it focuses on providing housing assistance and prioritizes these students, including those transitioning out of foster care, for housing and access to federal housing programs like the Foster Youth to Independence initiative.
“Let me start by prefacing this is very important for our kids while going through the system and also who have been homeless and trying to make something out of themselves while they’re in school,” Woodson said.
Woodson said young adults who are homeless or have been involved in the child welfare system can encounter barriers to higher education, and having unstable housing often contributes to this.
“We filed this bill to address the critical challenges faced by young adults who are homeless or have been previously in the child welfare system,” Woodson said. “These individuals often encounter significant barriers when accessing higher education. Unstable housing, as we know there’s a housing crisis that can hinder the ability to achieve independence and build successful futures.”
Florida College System institutions and state universities would provide priority access to resident halls and work-study programs under the bill. Woodson said this would create a supportive environment that fosters their economic success and personal growth.
Woodson further explained that the bill emphasizes collaboration among educational institutions, the state office of homelessness and other entities to help students with federal assistance and support systems.
“Ultimately, this legislation is a commitment to protecting and empowering vulnerable young adults, helping them transition into self-sufficiency and productive members of society,” Woodson said.
Gainesville Democratic Rep. Yvonne Hinson supported the bill and said helping youth in these situations is one of the reasons why she became a lawmaker.
“This is the reason I came to Tallahassee,” Hinson said. “Providing housing for the homeless, even if they were in foster care, even if they were not in foster care, young people need our help when they find themselves in vulnerable situations.”
