
In a notable stride towards addressing the needs of former foster youth, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), has celebrated the achievement of securing permanent housing for the 100th young adult through its collaboration with Anthos|Home, a nonprofit adept at navigating the housing market for those with vouchers. In a partnership that began in June 2023, these organizations have proven capable of giving young adults exiting foster care a fighting chance at a stable future. This initiative is complemented by Fair Futures, a program that assigns dedicated coaches for foster youth until they turn 26.
“When we came into office, we promised to build a safer, more affordable city for all New Yorkers, and that absolutely includes our young New Yorkers,” Mayor Adams remarked in a milestone reached last year, as reported by the City of New York. Anthos|Home, positioning itself as a nonprofit leader, has significantly reduced the time it takes for young individuals with housing vouchers to secure new homes, achieving a timeline of just two to four months—considerably faster than the typical experience for voucher users.
Lauded for their efforts, ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser emphasized the impact and necessity of transitioning youth to permanent homes promptly. "Young people exiting foster care need and deserve a dignified, affordable home that serves as a foundation for their success," Dannhauser told the City of New York. The combined efforts of housing support and coaching are charting a beneficial course for the youth involved.
The approach of Anthos|Home, according to co-founder and CEO Laura Lazarus, focuses on building strong relationships with landlords and maintaining a pool of available apartments. This includes making necessary repairs and covering moving costs. By actively participating in the detailed steps of the housing process, Anthos|Home supports both tenants and landlords, helping to ensure long-term housing stability.
Looking ahead, ACS has plans to collaborate with Anthos|Home to house an additional 400 individuals and families over the next year while continuing to offer post-move-in support services. This work has not only won the support of officials like New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud and New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar but has also set a precedent for future endeavors to back the transitioning foster youth. “This sends a message to our foster youth that turning 18 is not the end of the story, but a new chapter in support for them to grow and thrive,” Assemblymember Rajkumar was quoted saying in the announcement on the City of New York official website.