Family Unification Program (FUP)

CFDA 14.880 Active Direct Payments for Specified Use

Open Opportunities (1)

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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$39M FY2023
$93K
FY12
$3.45B
FY17
$30M
FY19
$24.4M
FY20
$18.1M
FY21
$21M
FY22
$39M
FY23*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2023 Fiscal Year 2023: HUD made $30 million available for Family Unification Program (FUP) to assist families at risk of being separated due to lack of housing and for Foster Youth to Independence (FYI - youth coming out of foster care) . The 2023 FUP and FYI awards are in process for both regular FUP and FYI participants. For example, as of July 11, 2023, HUD had processed 17 awards for FYI (NOFO-competitive) for a total of 822 vouchers, $12.9 million in contract amount. At the same time, HUD processed 63 awards for FYI noncompetitive, for a total of 415 vouchers, worth $3,777,979.

Currently (July 2023), 296 PHAs have effective FUP vouchers and 286 have effective FYI vouchers; a total of 26,057 FUP vouchers are effective, while 20,401 FUP vouchers are leased up for 78.29% utilization. A total of 4,401 FYI vouchers are effective, while 1,741 vouchers are leased up, for 43.37% utilization
FY2024 HUD ‘s 2024 President’s Budget did not ask for FUP funding.

Program Objective

To aid: (1) Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in: a. The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or b. The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care. (2) For a period not to exceed 36 months, otherwise eligible youths who have attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age and who have left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act and is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older. FUP- eligible families and youths may use these Housing Choice Vouchers (HVCs) to obtain decent, safe, and affordable housing units in the private rental market. Where appropriations provide for FUP assistance to be targeted to FUP-eligible youth only, HUD uses the name Foster Youth to Independence to create a distinction between regular FUP allocations and allocations targeted to FUP-eligible youth only.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • State governments
  • Public nonprofits

Applicants are limited to PHAs that have an existing Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD for HCVs.

Beneficiaries

  • 11
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 57
  • 58
  • 61

Families and youths that are income eligible under the HCV program regulations at 24 CFR 982.201 may receive a voucher awarded under the FUP. Families and youths must be referred to the PHA from the local Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA). Where appropriations provide for FUP assistance to be targeted to FUP-eligible youth only, HUD uses the name Foster Youth to Independence to create a distinction between regular FUP allocations and allocations targeted to FUP-eligible youth only.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Submission of Funding Application, Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance (Form HUD-52515).

Award Procedure

The Voucher Management and Operations Division generally makes the final decision based on the results of the rating and ranking process.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 60 to 90 days
Program details & compliance

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Provides housing assistance payments to participating owners on behalf of eligible tenants to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for very low-income families at rents they can afford. Housing assistance payments are generally the difference between the local payment standard and 30 percent of the family's adjusted income.

Required Documentation

For FUP, the PHA must provide a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), executed by the official representative of the PHA, Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA), and Continuum of Care (CoC). The MOU must identify the actions that the PHA, PCWA, and CoC will take to identify and assist FUP-eligible families and FUP-eligible youths, and the resources for supportive services that will be provided. Where appropriations provide for FUP assistance to be targeted to FUP-eligible youth only, HUD uses the name Foster Youth to Independence to create a distinction between regular FUP allocations and allocations targeted to FUP-eligible youth only. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles. .

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Ryan Jones
(202) 708-0477
451 7th Street, S.W., Room 4210, Washington, DC 20410
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2023-09-05. Spec v1.0. Last synced: 2026-06-02 02:44:55.