Young People Aging Out of Care In BC, young people age out of foster care when they are 18 years old. They are immediately faced with key life decisions concerning their education, health, financial independence, employment, relationships, and learning basic life skills. One of the key factors in their success is whether they find adequate housing in a healthy supportive environment. Young people have multiple barriers to adequate housing, besides their age and inexperience, they often have extremely limited funds, and are faced with racism based on being Indigenous. Given that this population is often alienated from their home community and family participants indicated that the Authority could act as a safety net not just for young people aging out of care but for all young people looking to become independent.
Recommendations • • • •
Keep a central registry of young people aging out of care so they do not fall through the cracks for housing services • Allow all young people to be part of the registry when they move away from home • Provide advocacy services Have help available until at least age 25 Connect young people with safe First Nations homes where they can rent a room or suite Deliver a program that provides small houses for young people on a temporary basis • Provide wrap-around social services • Provide cultural teachings • Include life skills and housing skills • Connect with health services and counselling • Build self-reliance
TIPI POLES, NORTHSIDE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH RESERVE IN THE TERRITORY OF THE LHEIDLI T’ENNEH FIRST NATION BY JARED NOME
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