Square footage and adoption?

Question

We are getting ready to do a home study for an adoption. In Texas what does the law require for square footage per person. We live in a one bedroom although it's huge, I'm very concern that we will be turned down and not be able to move forward with this adoption.

Answer 1

thats a good Question .....i need to know so that when we get ready to do our home study also!!!

Answer 2

While there is no law that will say there is a sq foot requirement, most states does require that there be a bedroom for a child.

this could be a walk in closet it could be a huge laundry room that you have taken the washer and dryer out of. You can also build on or move.

before you even set an appointment for the home study search your state's adoption laws talk to an attorney this is usual free or at a reduced cost

Answer 3

an adopted child must have a bedroom either on their own or with a same s*x child. maybe you could put a wall in the middle and create two rooms,seeing as your bedroom is huge.

Answer 4

I have never heard of a requirement as far as square footage goes, but I do know that there must be a bedroom for the child-boys and girls can not share (I think that is even a law in Texas for bio children/siblings, not specific to adoption).  

Perhaps you should add on, or if it is large enough turn an unused space into another bedroom.  Either way, I am pretty certain that it will be a requirement for the child to have his or her own bedroom (and I do not think they would approve it if the child had the ONLY bedroom, with the parents sleeping in the living room or such).

I wish you much luck...

Answer 5

Just curious- if you have only 1 bedroom, where the heck will the child go?

Answer 6

If you are adopting through a private agency, there is not square footage requirement.  If you are adopting through the state, then they likely do have requirements.  If you are fostering, there are definite requirements.

There can also be requirement regarding the child having a separate bedroom, but that will usually apply to older children.

And in any case, you will not be turned down, even if the agency wants a specific room or square footage requirement.  But they may make either a recommendation, or requirement for approval.  That will give you time to complete the request.  Then you will be approved.  (If all else is o.k.)  Worst case scenario, you may have to move to a two bedroom.  But if you are adopting an infant, it is unlikely.

My suggestion -- call the agency anonymously and ask! This will alleviate your worry.

Good luck!!

Answer 7

Texas is kind of backwards so maybe they will care but in the two home studies I have had (Louisiana and Kansas) they never once asked for or measured to find the square footage of the home. We had three bedrooms in one and we have four bedrooms currently so we have sufficient space for children. They will look for an answer to the "where will the child sleep" but you can talk about the future. Focus on wanting to keep the child close or talk about how you plan to move soon. Adoption takes time anyways.

Make sure your house is clean but don't go over board. The social worker wants to know the child will have a SAFE environment, not a fake one. With our second visit our daughter (adopted) had toys EVERYWHERE And the social worker loved it! she asked a ton of questions about how we play with our child, do we read to her, etc.

In reality the home study is intimidating but it is nothing to fear. Be yourself and be honest and it will go fine.

Answer 8

Well if its really huge, you might want to put a partion up and say this is the baby area and have a plan on when you plan to move into a two bed room (even if you don't meet your dead line) My home study was done during re modeling and was not finished when the baby came home. And I live in Texas