John,

COVID-19 has harmed every one of us, whether we fell ill, faced economic hardships, or lost loved ones. But while the virus does not discriminate, we must be aware that its effects are especially hard-felt by vulnerable members of our community.

One such group is foster youth. Each year more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care — and a quarter of those kids will endure homelessness within four years. That is simply unacceptable.

That’s why I am proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership between MCSO and the federal government’s Foster Youth to Independence program, which distributes housing vouchers to eligible foster kids and provides them with the foundation on which to build their future.

Last week, I teamed up with HUD regional administrator Christopher Patterson to write an op-ed in favor of this landmark partnership. Click here to read our piece in azcentral now.

For too long, foster youths have been cast off into the shadows of our nation’s homelessness epidemic. But together, we can end homelessness among foster youth in Arizona.

In service,

— Sheriff Paul Penzone