Independent Living – Pond Place
Program Description
Pond Place is HomeSafe’s independent living program for young adults ages 18–23 transitioning out of foster care. The program provides safe, affordable housing combined with structured, trauma-informed support designed to help residents build the skills, stability, and confidence needed for successful independent adulthood.
The program serves up to 11 residents at a time, each living in a private one-bedroom apartment that promotes independence, dignity, and personal responsibility while still providing access to consistent guidance and support. Residents participate in individualized goal planning, weekly life skills programming, therapeutic services, and mentorship to help them achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
Pond Place emphasizes education and career readiness as key pathways to stability. Located near Palm Beach State College and local employment opportunities, the program helps reduce transportation and accessibility barriers that often prevent young adults from pursuing higher education and maintaining employment.
Young adults aging out of foster care often face significant barriers, including housing instability, unemployment, interrupted education, limited support systems, and increased risk of homelessness. Through strong partnerships with educational institutions, behavioral health providers, child welfare agencies, and community organizations, Pond Place delivers a coordinated, wraparound approach that supports residents as they heal from trauma, pursue personal goals, and transition successfully into adulthood.
- Safe, affordable independent housing in private one-bedroom apartments
- Individualized case management and goal planning
- Life skills development, including housing maintenance, transportation, nutrition, health, and interpersonal skills
- Financial literacy education, budgeting, savings development, and banking support
- Educational support for high school completion, vocational training, and college enrollment
- Employment readiness services, including resume development, interview preparation, and job retention support
- Individual and group therapeutic services addressing trauma, emotional wellness, and life transitions
- Weekly mentorship, structured programming, and psychosocial support
How do I qualify for the Independent Living Program?
Young adults who have aged out of foster care are eligible for this program. You must have your Post-secondary Education Services & Support (PESS) eligibility. Once accepted into the Pond Place program, residents must maintain their PESS eligibility, and abide by the program rules set by HomeSafe. Residents can be between the ages of 18 and 23.
Pond Place is not an emergency response program. If there is an immediate safety concern or medical emergency, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 for immediate support.
You can also call 2-1-1 Helpline for local crisis support, information, and referrals to community resources in Palm Beach County.
Referral Process
In order to remain in the program, clients must maintain their Post-secondary Education Services & Support (PESS) eligibility and follow the rules set by HomeSafe to be able to continue living in an apartment through this program. Clients can be between the ages of 18 and 23.
- Applicant completes the Transitional Housing Universal Application and submits to Pond Place and other programs of interest.
- Pond Place receives the application, reviews for appropriateness, and schedules a placement interview.
If the applicant is not an appropriate fit, notification is provided via email. - After the interview, the applicant is either accepted or denied.
- If accepted, an acceptance packet is provided along with an estimated admission/move-in date. This date is contingent upon the receipt of the requested documentation.
If denied, notification is provided via email. - Once the admissions packet is completed and returned, the scheduled move-in date for the resident is confirmed.
For additional questions about the program, please contact Kayla Madison, LCSW, Independent Living Manager at (561) 383-9800 x 1177