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Committee advances bill to expand financing options so youth service providers can buy transitional housing
Summary
AB 534 (presented as AB 5 34) would facilitate property ownership for nonprofit and community providers that operate transitional housing for young adults exiting foster care by improving access to financing and allowing longer initial contract terms. The committee advanced the bill to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Schiavo presented AB 534, a bill intended to help nonprofit youth service providers purchase properties used for transitional housing for young adults exiting foster care.
Witnesses said providers face difficulty securing rental units because of rising rents and landlord reluctance to rent to individuals with foster‑care histories. Douglas Yost, CEO of Crittenton Family Services, said units owned by providers allow for more trauma‑informed responses to residents’ behavior and reduce the likelihood of eviction: “Within the housing units that Crittenton owns, we have really seen a difference in how we're able to come alongside of the children... When we're able to have ownership of them, the environment is much safer, there's more support, and there's more stability for them.”
Kevin Clark of Good River Partners told the committee that moving providers from leasing to owning can create greater long‑term stability and earmark units for youth without the barriers tied to their backgrounds. The bill would expand providers’ access to financing for property purchases and extend initial contract terms to 10 years to support sustainable ownership models.
The committee moved the bill on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Supporters said ownership can help providers fill existing slots that remain vacant because of limited affordable rental supply; Crittenton representatives said their owned properties supported 14 former foster youth to graduate from college.
