A Blueprint for Ending Youth Homelessness
Samantha Batko,Program and Policy Analyst,National Alliance to End Homelessness
Blueprint to End Youth Homelessness
• Estimates of Homeless Youth
• Context Provided by Research and Data
• Targeted Solutions
• Improving Our Response to Homeless Youth
The Number of Homeless Youth Under 18
Category Percentage Number
Brief Runaways
n/a 1.3 million
Low Risk 60% 228,000
Transient 22% 84,000
High Risk 18% 68,000
The Number of Homeless Youth Under 18
The Number of Homeless Youth Age 18-24
Category Percentage Number
Short-Term 81% 122,000
Episodic 9% 13,000
Chronic 10% 15,000
*This chart reflects the number of 18-24 year olds in the adult single system and does not reflect the number of parenting youth in the family system.
What the Research and Data Suggests
• Most youth go home. Most, quickly.
• Some youth are unable to go home safely.
• There is a subset of youth who are living on the streets for long periods of time.
• The number of involuntary exits from youth programs is too high.
Primary Solution for Youth Under 18
REUNIFICATION
Interventions for Youth Under 18
Category Percentage Intervention
Temporarily Disconnected 86% -Family Intervention
-Crisis Housing Available
Unstably Connected 8% -Intensive Family Intervention
-Crisis Housing Available
Chronically Disconnected 6% -Time-Limited Supportive Housing/TLP
-Family Intervention
Interventions for Youth Age 18-24
Category Percentage Intervention
Short Term 81% -Family Intervention-Rapid Re-housing
Episodic 9%-Family Intervention-Rapid Re-housing-TLP/Transition in Place
Chronic 10%-Time-limited Supportive Services/TLP-Family Intervention-PSH
Interventions for Parents Age 18-24
Category Percentage Intervention
Temporary 81% -Family Intervention-Rapid Re-housing
Long-Term Stayers
15% -Rapid Re-Housing-Transition-in-Place
Episodic/Chronic
4%-TLP/Transition in Place-Medium- to Long-Term Housing and Services
Improving the Response to Youth Homelessness
• Place greater emphasis on family intervention.
• Expand the reach and effectiveness of transitional living/housing programs.
• Improve crisis response and prevent youth from entering homelessness.
• Improve data.
Contact
Samantha Batko
Program and Policy Analyst
National Alliance to End Homelessness
202-942-8248
