William Ward speaks Friday about the need for housing for people who age out of foster care.IF YOU GOWhat: Housing Choice Voucher project-based program meetingWhen: 2 p.m. ThursdayWhere: Chattanooga Housing Authority, 801 N. Holtzclaw Ave.
William Ward is trying to care for children who age out of foster care, but he needs more places to house them.
The state stops issuing checks to foster parents when children in their care turn 18, and some foster parents no longer want to care for them.
“They are adults who have aged out of state custody floating house to house,” Ward said. “They can’t register for school, can’t get a job without an address.”
Ward, the 64-year-old founder of Pathways Young Adult Program, will be among dozens of developers, program representatives and landlords meeting at the Chattanooga Housing Authority on Thursday to discuss unmet housing needs for special populations, such as those aging out of foster care, homeless families or people coming out of drug rehabilitation programs.