Youth Series Brief No. 1

NATIONAL ALLIANCE Fundamental Issues to Prevent TO END HOMELESSNESS and End Youth Homelessness

outh homelessness is disturbingly Family Breakdown. The same factors that INSIDE THIS BRIEF common. Although the preva- contribute to adult homelessness such as lence of youth homelessness is poverty, lack of affordable housing, low Ydifficult to measure, researchers education levels, unemployment, mental Causes of Youth estimate that about 5 to 7.7 percent of health, and substance abuse issues can also Homelessness 1 youth—about 1 million to 1.6 million youth play a role in the occurrence and duration per year—experience homelessness.1 of a youth’s homelessness. Beyond those Characteristics of Homelessness has serious consequences factors, the phenomenon of youth home- Homeless Youth 2 for youth. It is especially dangerous for lessness is largely a reflection of family dys- youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who function and breakdown, specifically Relationships and Social do not have familial support. Living in shel- familial conflict, abuse, and disruption. Networks 2 ters or on the streets, unaccompanied Youth usually enter a state of homeless- homeless youth are at a higher risk for ness as a result of: Youth Housing Continuum 3 physical and sexual assault or abuse and ■ Running away from home; physical illness, including HIV/AIDS. It is ■ Being locked out or abandoned by 10 Essential Elements estimated that 5,000 unaccompanied youth their parents or guardians; or to End Youth die each year as a result of assault, illness, ■ Running or being emancipated or dis- Homelessness or suicide.2 Furthermore, homeless youth charged from institutional or other in Your Community 4 are at a higher risk for anxiety disorders, state care. depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, Although family conflict also plays a part in and suicide due to increased exposure to adult homelessness, the nexus is more critical violence while living on their own.3 for youth since they are, by virtue of their Homeless youth are also more likely to developmental stage in life, still largely finan- become involved in prostitution, to use and cially, emotionally, and, depending on their abuse drugs, and to engage in other danger- age, legally dependent upon their families. ous and illegal behaviors. This brief reviews the key issues surround- Systems Failure. In addition, many youth ing youth homelessness, including causes and become homeless due to systems failure of characteristics of homeless youth. It will also mainstream programs like child welfare, explain the youth housing continuum, a juvenile corrections, and mental health pro- model to develop stable, supportive housing grams. Every year between 20,000 and to prevent and end youth homelessness in 25,000 youth ages 16 and older transition America. For purposes of the brief, the defi- from foster care to legal emancipation, or nition of homeless youth includes any youth “age out” of the system. They enter into National Alliance between the ages of 16 and 24 who do not society with few resources and numerous to End Homelessness have familial support and are unaccompa- challenges.4 As a result, former foster care nied—living in shelters or on the street. children and youth are disproportionately 1518 K Street, NW represented in the homeless population. Suite 410 Causes of Youth Twenty-five percent of former foster youth Washington, DC 20005 Homelessness nationwide reported that they had been Phone: 202-638-1526 ext. 129 Although the causes for homelessness homeless at least one night within two-and- 5 Fax: 202-638-4664 among youth vary greatly by individual, the a-half to four years after exiting foster care. Email: [email protected] underlying themes among these causes Many youth encounter the juvenile jus- reveal a strong link between homelessness tice system while homeless. Without a www.endhomelessness.org and broader social issues including: home, family support, or other resources,

NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS • ANALYZING POLICY • BUILDING CAPACITY • EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND OPINION LEADERS 1 FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES TO PREVENT AND END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS – MAY 2006

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 homeless youth are often locked up because they are without supervision. Of homeless young people, 40–60 percent experience Homeless youth are socially marginalized and often arrested for “status” offenses—an physical abuse, and 17–35 percent experience sexual abuse. action that is only illegal when performed by minors, like running away or breaking curfew.6 For youth who are released from Physical Health. Chronic health condi- It is often these relationships that can juvenile corrections facilities, reentry is tions, including asthma, other lung prob- prevent homelessness. For example, a often difficult because they lack the familial lems, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, trusted advisor or friend can influence and support systems and opportunities for work diabetes, hepatitis, or HIV/AIDS are preva- motivate a youth to stay in or access stable and housing. Additionally, homeless youth lent among homeless youth.10 Homeless housing. Young people who are able to stay are more likely than the general youth pop- young people over the age of 18 report that in the same community or in the same ulation to become involved in the juvenile health care bills contribute to their inability schools as before they became homeless justice system. to obtain stable housing.11 Youth are less have a better chance of avoiding the dan- likely to access health care services due to gerous consequences for youth who do not Characteristics of barriers like limited shelter placement, lack have familiar support. Yet, many young peo- Homeless Youth of health insurance, fear of shelters and ple find themselves homeless after exhaust- While the youth population is extremely health care providers, and distrust of highly ing all their resources and relationships with diverse, a review of the research tells us structured, rule-bound programs.12 people and organizations who could help that there are certain similarities among them access or prevent them from losing homeless youth, including: Substance Abuse. According to national stable housing. surveys, 75 percent of street youths were Lack of Self-Sufficiency Skills. Unlike using marijuana, about 33 percent were Conclusion adults who have often lived independently using hallucinogens, stimulants, and anal- In summary, the causes of youth home- prior to experiencing homelessness, most gesics, and 25 percent were using crack, lessness often include family breakdown youth who become homeless have never other forms of cocaine, inhalants, and and system failure. Many youth become lived on their own. Lacking financial means, sedatives. Substance abuse rates vary homeless after running away from home, marketable skills, maturity, and independ- greatly among homeless youth according being locked out or abandoned by their ent living skills, this is a task for which they to gender, age, ethnicity, and current living parents or guardians, and running or being are almost invariably ill prepared. situations.13 Street youth have the highest emancipated or discharged from institu- rates of substance use and abuse, followed tional and other state care. As a conse- Lack of Financial Resources. Minimal by sheltered youth and runaways, and quence of being homeless, many youth lack education attainment and lack of job skills then housed youth. These rates often self-sufficiency skills and financial resources. prevent most homeless youth from securing increase with age.14 Most likely, homeless young people will suf- more than low-wage and short term jobs. fer from mental health disorders, including Many youth are not able to sustain stable Relationships and post-traumatic stress disorder and substance housing, much less cover other necessities Social Networks abuse disorders, and have poor physical such as food, clothing, and health care. Homeless young people often seek rela- health and limited access to quality health- tionships and social networks for support care. Relationships and social networks are Mental Health and Post-Traumatic and survival. Some deal with their social very important to the support and survival Stress Disorder. Homeless youth are at a marginalization by connecting with others of homeless youth. Most importantly, strong higher risk for anxiety disorders, depression, on the street. Certain young people may and positive relationships with adults, pro- post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide look to familial support from grandparents grams, or organizations can prevent a due to increased exposure to violence while or siblings for emotional and informa- homeless episode. living on their own.7 Homeless young peo- tional support, such as having someone to Communities should work to ensure ple have high rates of physical and sexual share and understand feelings with or young people—like those transitioning out abuse. Approximately 40 to 60 percent being offered advice, information, or guid- of the foster care system and those leaving experience physical abuse and between 17 ance.15 Some older teens will choose to juvenile corrections—have safe, stable, and and 35 percent experience sexual abuse.8 sleep on couches or in spare bedrooms of affordable housing options. Strategies Due to their emotional and financial friends, if only for a day or month at a should include housing linked with service exploitability, homeless youth are especially time, to avoid sleeping on the street. delivery models. Across the nation, commu- vulnerable to coercion and recruitment into Others will attempt to establish strong nities must seek to understand and tailor “”—the exchange of sex for sur- relationships with older adults who work solutions to the unique needs of homeless vival needs such as food, shelter, gifts, within the programs from which they youth—only then can we prevent and end money, or drugs.9 receive services. youth homelessness.

2 NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS • ANALYZING POLICY • BUILDING CAPACITY • EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND OPINION LEADERS Youth Homelessness Series FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES TO PREVENT AND END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS – MAY 2006 Brief No. 1

Youth Housing Continuum: Supportive Housing for Homeless Youth

ousing for young people, homeless respond to the broad range of needs of termined time limits that allows youth to or otherwise, is, by nature, transi- youth experiencing homelessness during transition from one housing program to Htional. Most youth in their late their transition to adulthood. The design of another according to their individual devel- teens and early to mid-twenties are housed housing for homeless youth should focus on opmental agendas. Based upon the needs in college dormitories, shared or studio stability, safety, and affordability. and preferences of a given youth, such apartments, or are continuing to live at The goals of any housing model for housing could take any number of forms home. Commonly, youth move through any youth should be placement in stable hous- from shared homes to scattered-site, inde- number of such interim housing situations ing and preparation for future independent pendent apartments with or without room- as they transition to adulthood. housing. A housing continuum is defined mates. Youth should have the flexibility to and its transition to adult- as various forms of housing without prede- move among housing programs as they hood is a challenging time for youth under gain greater independent living skills and the best of circumstances. Homeless youth A youth housing continuum economic stability, including the ability to must develop the financial resources and reenter housing programs and move back skills to establish themselves independently incorporates various along the continuum if their current needs and they must do so during a time of great or abilities change. developmental flux. It is a period when housing solutions that It is also important to involve young peo- youth are establishing their independence, a ple in the design of the housing continuum, sense of identity, and the capacity for inti- appropriately respond to as it will empower young adults to manage macy. Adolescents who are homeless must the responsibility of their own housing solu- take on the adult tasks of securing housing, the broad range of needs tions. Responding to the needs of homeless a livable income, and seeing to their future youth with developmentally appropriate at a time when their capacity for rational of youth experiencing housing models along a housing continuum thought and decision making is inconsistent will increase their ability to live independ- and still developing. homelessness during their ently in the future. Stable and supportive A youth housing continuum incorporates housing enables young people to make bet- various housing solutions that appropriately transition to adulthood. ter transitions to adulthood.

Policy Implications

reventing and ending youth home- Public policy and practice should ensure effective way to direct youth to a path to lessness demands policies and prac- housing models and services for homeless independence and productivity. Ptices at the federal, state, and local youth are cost effective. For example, it levels that close service gaps. In working to costs the state of Colorado $53,655 to Federal Legislation end youth homelessness, policymakers must place a young person in youth corrections The following policies address youth acknowledge the following regarding the for one year and $53,527 for residential homelessness: youth population: treatment. Comparatively, it costs $5,378 ■ Runaway and Homeless Youth Act pro- ■ For many youth, independence at 18 is for the only licensed homeless and runaway grams include Basic Centers, unrealistic. youth supportive housing program in Transitional Living Programs, and ■ Homeless youth need self-sufficiency Colorado to move a young person off of the Street Outreach. and independent living skills training. streets and perhaps prevent the incurrence ■ Chafee Foster Care Independence Act ■ Homeless youth have special service of future expenses.16 provides independent living and after- needs, including mental and physical A community should invest in addressing care services to young people “aging health issues. youth homelessness through policies and out” of foster care, including Education ■ Relationships and connections to practices that mandate public systems Training Vouchers. trusted adults, family, and social net- responsibility and develop supportive, stable works are important. housing programs as an efficient and cost

NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS • ANALYZING POLICY • BUILDING CAPACITY • EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND OPINION LEADERS 3 FUNDAMENTAL ISSUES TO PREVENT AND END YOUTH HOMELESSNESS – MAY 2006

The Ten Essentials Your Community Needs to Prevent & End Youth Homelessness

he National Partnership to End Youth Emergency Prevention. Your community these services. They should have direct Homelessness* has developed the fol- has in place an emergency homelessness access to public programs and services for Tlowing checklist as a guide to help prevention program that includes crisis health, mental health, substance use disor- communities identify the minimum require- counseling, family reunification services, ders, parenting classes, life skills training, ments for an effective permanent solution to rent assistance, and landlord intervention. etc. just as any member of the general pub- prevent and end youth homelessness. lic. The essentials are based on the National Systems Prevention. Mainstream pro- Alliance to End Homelessness Ten grams, like child welfare, juvenile correc- Youth Development. To better serve Essentials for Ending Homelessness in Your tions, mental health, etc. that provide care youth, agencies and providers engage youth Community and the Ten Year Plan to End and services to youth, consistently assess in meaningful ways, shifting their role as a Homelessness, which draws from over and respond to their housing needs. recipient of service to that of a leader and twenty years of research and experience Discharge planning includes placement in decision maker in program development, with communities around the country. stable housing for all young people being delivery and evaluation, organizational The essentials are slightly modified to released from public institutions. management, and advocacy. respond to the unique housing and service needs of homeless youth. No essential is Outreach. Your community has an out- Permanent Housing. Your community has more important than another. All require reach and engagement system designed to a sufficient supply of permanent supportive participation from every sector of the com- reduce barriers and encourage homeless housing to meet the needs of all chronically munity. youth to enter appropriate housing linked homeless youth. Your community is imple- with appropriate services. menting a plan to fully address the perma- Plan. Your community has a set of strate- nent housing needs of extremely gies focused on ending youth homelessness. Youth Housing Continuum. The youth low-income young people. A wide range of players, such as govern- shelter and system in ment programs, elected officials, homeless your community is organized to reduce or Income. When it is necessary in order to providers, etc. have made funding and minimize the length of time youth remain obtain housing, your community assists implementation commitments to these homeless, and the number of times they homeless youth to secure enough income to strategies. become homeless. Outcome measures will afford rent, by rapidly linking them with be key to this effort. Your community has employment and/or benefits. It also con- Data. Your community has a homelessness skilled housing search and housing place- nects them to opportunities for increasing management information system (HMIS) ment services available for homeless youth their incomes through educational and that can be analyzed to assess how long and young adults who cannot be reunified vocational programs. youth are homeless, what their needs are, with their families. what the causes of homelessness are, how *The National Partnership to End Youth Homeless (NPEYH) is a consortium of the Child Welfare League of America, National people interact with mainstream systems of Services. When youth are housed, they Alliance to End Homelessness, National Foster Care Coalition, care, the effectiveness of interventions, and have rapid access to funded services, and National League of Cities, National Network for Youth, and the number of homeless youth. mainstream programs provide the bulk of Volunteers of America.

Sources 1 Robertson, M., Toro, P. (1998) Homeless Youth, Research, Intervention, and Policy, Practical Lessons: The 1998 National Symposium on Homelessness Research. Washington, DC: US Department of Housing and Urban Development, US Department of Health and Human Services. 2 National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. “Legal Tools to End Homelessness.” 2004, p. 3. Available: http://www.nlchp.org/content/pubs/youth%20Legal%20Tools.pdf 3,7,12,14 Healthcare for the Homeless Clinician’s Network. “Protecting the Mental Health of Homeless Children and Youth.” Healing Hands, 4(1), Feb. 2000. 4 Allen, M. and Nixon, R. (July-August 2000) “The Foster Care Independence Act and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program: New Catalysts for Reform for Young People Aging Out of Foster Care.” Journal of Poverty and Policy. 5 Cook, R. “A national evaluation of title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth, phase 2.” Rockville, MD: Westat, 1991. 6 Lewin & Assoc., California Juvenile Crime Glossary, www.california-juvenile-crimes.com/juvenile_crime_terms.shtml 8 Fosburg, Linda B. and Deborah L. Dennis. Practical Lessons: The 1998 National Symposium on Homelessness Research. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 1999: pp. 3-9. 9 Schoot, Erika, and Samir Goswami. “PROSTITUTION: A Violent Reality of Homelessness.” The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Available: http://www.chicagohomeless.org/factsfigures/prost.pdf 10 Wilder Research. “Homeless youth in Minnesota 2003: Statewide survey of people without permanent shelter.” 2/2005: p.27. Available: http://www.wilder.org/research/reports/pdf/Youthreporttext_2-05.pdf 11 Ensign J; Bell M. “Illness Experiences of Homeless Youth.” Qualitative Health Research, 14(9):1239-54, Nov 2004. 13 Greene, J., Ringwalt, C., Kelly, J., Iachan, R., Cohen, Z. (1995). Youth with Runaway, Thrownaway, and Homeless Experiences: Prevalence, Drug Use, and Other At-Risk Behaviors. Volume I: Final Report. Research Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute. 15 Courtney, Mark and Dworksy, Amy, “Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of the Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19.” May 2005. 16 Leevwen, Jamie Van. “Reaching the Hard to Reach: Innovative Housing for Homeless Youth Through Strategic Partnerships.” Child Welfare League of America, Volume LXXXIII, #5 September/October 2004, pg. 453.

4 NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS • ANALYZING POLICY • BUILDING CAPACITY • EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND OPINION LEADERS