The bill establishes a new housing assistance program specifically for youth enrolled in extended foster care in Washington State. It aims to address the issue of homelessness among these young individuals, as approximately 13 percent experienced homelessness in the fiscal year 2024. The program will provide rental assistance and associated housing fees to eligible youth, allowing them to receive support while remaining dependent and still benefiting from federal programs when they turn 21. The eligibility criteria include being a recipient of extended foster care services and experiencing homelessness or being at imminent risk of homelessness.

Additionally, the bill mandates the department to conduct a transition planning process for youth in extended foster care at least three months before they turn 21. This process will assess their housing and financial stability, support applications for federally funded housing vouchers, and provide referrals to various assistance programs. The department is also tasked with ensuring that all eligible youth have access to rental housing assistance and collecting annual data on their housing status.