Facts about homeless teens
Every night, thousands of teens and young adults across the country find themselves without a place to call home.
The Reality of Homelessness
Facing a myriad of challenges and uncertainties, these vulnerable individuals navigate the harsh realities of life on the streets, shelters, or temporary accommodations. For many, homelessness is not just a lack of physical shelter but a profound sense of instability, insecurity, and isolation.
Young people experiencing homelessness often grapple with a range of complex issues, including family conflict, economic hardship, mental health challenges, educational barriers, and limited access to support networks. The journey into homelessness can be sudden and unexpected, driven by circumstances beyond their control or a culmination of longstanding struggles that push them to the margins of society.
Despite the invisible nature of youth homelessness, the statistics paint a stark reality of the magnitude of the problem.
On any given night in the United States, an estimated 41,000 teens and young adults experience homelessness, with a significant portion facing the harsh realities of living on the streets or in unstable housing situations.
Specific subpopulations of youth and young adults face a higher risk of homelessness, including:
- LGBT Youth (twice as likely to have experienced homelessness)
- Young parents, especially unmarried (3 times higher risk)
- Youth with experiences of foster care, juvenile detention, jail, or prison
- Hispanic and Black youth
The experiences of homelessness among young people are diverse and fluid, ranging from couch surfing to sleeping on the streets or in shelters. Youth homelessness is not primarily caused by personal factors like addiction or mental illness but is driven by broader economic and systemic issues, such as the lack of affordable housing, inadequate income support, limited healthcare access, systemic racism, and discrimination.
Efforts to address youth homelessness require a comprehensive approach that combines prevention strategies with direct responses to provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and clear pathways to permanent housing. Supporting vulnerable young people with housing stability, mental health services, education and workforce development programs, and targeted interventions are essential in addressing the root causes of homelessness and ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to thrive and build a brighter future.
Among homeless teens and young adults, a significant percentage lack a high school diploma. According to studies and reports on youth homelessness in the United States:
– Approximately 67% of homeless youths aged 18 to 24 do not have a high school diploma.
– Homeless youth are 87% more likely to drop out of school than their housed peers, primarily due to the instability and challenges they face, such as frequent moves, lack of transportation, and the need to prioritize survival over education.
This educational gap has long-term implications for their ability to secure stable employment and break the cycle of homelessness. Our programs focus on re engaging homeless youth in education by providing resources like HiSET (high school equivalency) preparation, tutoring, and supportive housing and basic needs like food and clothing to foster academic success.
Young people experiencing homelessness often grapple with a range of complex issues, including family conflict, economic hardship, mental health challenges, educational barriers, and limited access to support networks. The journey into homelessness can be sudden and unexpected, driven by circumstances beyond their control or a culmination of longstanding struggles that push them to the margins of society.
The Statistics are Shocking
20%
report using drugs to comfort themselves
60%
of youth report mental health problems
33%
had once been part of the foster care system
50%
have been in the juvenile justice system, in jail or detention
20-40%
have experienced sexual abuse as compared to 1-3% of the general population
Addressing youth homelessness is essential to breaking the cycle of instability and ensuring young people have the support they need to build a better future. Early intervention through our comprehensive programs—offering housing, education, mental health services, and targeted support—can help prevent these young individuals from experiencing long-term hardship and contribute to healthier, more stable communities.