CMHB: Manitoba increasing eligibility age for youth transitioning out of care

Starting in July, the Canada-Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB) program will raise the age of eligibility for youth transitioning out of care from 21 to 26, giving young Manitobans an additional five years of support.

“It’s a safer number. It ensures security for them. Makes them feel safer for a longer period of time,” explained Troy Bird, former foster youth.

“I think 21 is too early in age. They are still young, still trying to figure things out. Maybe go to school or whatnot.”

Bird who’s been living in foster care ever since he was 10-months-old, says the age increase is significant.

“A lot of youth aren’t able to get those proper supports in place before they transition out. A lot of them turn to the street or whatnot, it’s unfortunate.”

Marie Christian is the director of Voices: Manitoba’s Youth in Care Network and works with young people both in care and transitioning from care in Manitoba. She says, when a young person is aged out of the system, they usually lack the necessary support system to transition into adulthood.

“Will I be able to go to school? Will I be able to work? Can I find a house or an apartment? Do I need a co-signer? How will I manage all of these adult responsibilities that are largely covered by the adults of my life when I am in care,” said Christian while explaining what kids in the system might be asking.

“Definitely, in the future, I would love to see no age restriction but 26 is still a really great option compared to 18 or even 21,” she explained.

Christian says a young person transitioning out of care at 18 or 21 who lacks the necessary support system is more at risk.

“What we’ve seen is that when young people are transitioned out of the system, or they’re aged out, whether it’s at 18 or 21, without having adequate supports and services and connections to the community, they are more at risk of homelessness, of exploitation, of addictions, of just being vulnerable of people taking advantage of the fact that this young person is young and disconnected and needing help.”

For someone like Bird who’s experienced the challenges of transitioning out of care, he says above all this age increase provides young Manitobans a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.

“It gives them hope especially, the most important thing. They can have that support until they find the support they need to move forward in life.”