Office of the First Lady

# First Lady Melania Trump Secures $25 Million Investment in President’s FY26 Budget for Foster Youth

The White House
May 9, 2025

First Lady Melania Trump secured a $25 million investment in President Trump’s FY26 budget to provide housing and support for youth transitioning out of foster care. In recognition of the seventh anniversary of Mrs. Trump’s BE BEST initiative, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated funds toward the Agency’s Foster Youth to Independence program (FYI).

“I am proud to have successfully secured $25 million to provide housing for individuals aging out of foster care. This is another essential measure that ensures the safety, welfare, and autonomy of those in the foster community,” commented First Lady Melania Trump.

The First Lady continued, “Secretary Scott Turner’s commitment will provide thousands of youth transitioning out of the foster care system with dedicated rental assistance and other supportive services to promote stability and self-sufficiency.”

“This dedicated funding for foster youth is a game changer in providing young adults with access to short-term housing assistance and supportive services, which will prevent homelessness. I am so appreciative of the First Lady’s efforts, for her commitment to helping our Nation’s foster youth through her BE BEST initiative and for championing public-private partnerships that are changing lives every day,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner.

First Lady Melania Trump has been actively supporting the foster care community through Fostering the Future, a BE BEST initiative, for several years. The announcement of this important investment coincides with National Foster Care Month and reflects the First Lady’s ongoing commitment to promoting children’s well-being and supporting youth through Be Best.

About the Foster Youth to Independence Program (FYI)

The FYI program, led by HUD and supported by public housing authorities across the country, offers housing assistance to eligible individuals under the age of 25 who are transitioning out of foster care. The program is designed to prevent homelessness and provide a foundation for young adults to pursue education, employment, and long-term independence.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 20,000 young people transition out of foster care each year. A significant percentage of these youth face housing insecurity or homelessness. This support provides an essential safety net during a pivotal time in a young person’s life.

For additional information, read a recent press release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development here.

Background on BE BEST Launched by Mrs. Trump in 2018, BE BEST is dedicated to promoting the well-being of children with a renewed emphasis on supporting foster youth through initiatives like Fostering the Future. Continuing into President Trump’s second term, Mrs. Trump remains focused on achieving substantive and lasting outcomes that directly improve the lives of current and future generations of children and youth.

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