Residential Mobility for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care
This study is the first examination of factors associated with residential mobility in a statewide population of young adults residing in extended foster care in California. Using administrative data for 10,517 young adults who turned 18 between 2016 and 2019, the study examines factors influencing the frequency of moves during extended foster care. Findings show that most youth in extended foster care experience low mobility, with median rates of one move every 18 months and average stays of two years. Supervised Independent Living Placements and Transitional Housing Placements were the most common living arrangements, with residents in Supervised Independent Living Placements showing slightly higher mobility rates. The results highlight the stability of extended foster care housing and emphasize the need to integrate housing, psychosocial resources, and transportation support into independent living plans to better address young adults’ needs during the transition to adulthood.