Our new report, Without a Home and More: Homeless Youth Count 2015, and previous blog posts describe the characteristics of homeless youth, causes of youth homelessness, and characteristics of youth homelessness from survey responses of three thousand homeless youth at fifteen locations around the nation to provide information to assist in preventing and ending youth homelessness.

In this blog post, we are going to summarize the nine types of assistance that
youth who were surveyed have accessed, attempted tot access, and need to obtain
housing and stable lives: parental assistance, housing assistance, shelter day
services, food or nutrition assistance, educational and employment assistance,
legal assistance, documentation and immigration assistance, childcare and family
assistance, and medical and mental health assistance.

Parental Assistance

Some homeless youth have attempted to access assistance from parents.  Although some homeless youth can move back in with parents, many homeless youth report that they are not able to move back in with their parents.  In one location, 24% of homeless youth have already tried to move back in with their parents or family and in another location 35% of homeless youth do not have contact with their parents and 88% reported that they could not live with their parents.

Housing Assistance

Homeless youth have previously accessed, are currently accessing, or have attempted to access housing assistance and need housing assistance.  Overall, 41% of homeless youth surveyed have access emergency shelter and 19% have accessed transitional housing.  In addition, 27% sought short-term housing assistance and long-term assistance.  Overall, between approximately 20% and 80% of homeless youth surveyed reported a need for housing.

Shelter Day Services

Homeless youth have accessed drop-in centers or shelter day services and have a current need for shelter day services.  Overall, approximately 20% of homeless youth surveyed have used shelter day services and 10% of homeless youth surveyed had used bus passes.  In terms of need, 26% of homeless youth surveyed reported a need for food, 12% to 51% reported a need for clothing, 6% to 41% reported a need for personal hygiene products or a place to shower, 8 percent reported a need for a place to do laundry, and 14% to 27% reported a need for transportation.

Food or Nutrition Assistance

Homeless youth have previously accessed or are currently accessing food or nutrition assistance and have a current need for food or nutrition assistance.  Overall, about one-third to half reported accessing free meal services and about forty percent to half reported accessing two federal nutrition programs.  In terms of need, 26 percent of homeless youth surveyed reported a current need for food or nutrition assistance.

Educational and Employment Assistance

Homeless youth previously accessed, are currently accessing, or have attempted to access educational programs or services and job training or job services and need education and employment assistance.  Overall, 14% of homeless youth surveyed have previously accessed or are currently accessing educational programs or services and job training or job services and 10% to 31% had attempted to access educational support and 15% to 34% had attempted to access job training.  In terms of need, 18% to 44% of homeless youth surveyed reported a current need for education and 10% to 51% of homeless youth surveyed reported a current need for job training and employment services.

Legal Assistance

Some homeless youth are currently accessing legal services and need legal services.  Overall, 5% of homeless youth surveyed are currently receiving legal assistance.  In terms of need, 4% to 5% of homeless youth surveyed reported a current need for legal help or legal services.

Documentation and Immigration Assistance

Homeless youth reported they were currently accessing or attempted to access immigration services and need documentation and immigration services.  Overall, 5% of homeless youth reported they were currently accessing immigration services and 1% reported they attempted to access services, including immigration services.  In terms of need, 1% reported they needed immigration assistance for them or a parent, 2% reported they needed language classes, 13% to 49% reported they needed a license, state ID, identification card, or Social Security card, and 10% to 49% reported they needed a birth certificate.

Childcare and Family Assistance

Homeless youth have previously accessed, are currently accessing, or have attempted to access childcare and family assistance.  Overall, 3% of homeless youth surveyed have accessed family assistance.  In addition, 4% to 31% reported attempting to access childcare, 27% to 49% attempted to access cash assistance, and 3% to 13% attempted to access family support.

Medical and Mental Health Assistance

Homeless youth have previously accessed, are currently accessing, or have attempted to access medical or mental health services or assistance and need medical and mental health assistance.  Overall, between 10% and 52% of homeless youth surveyed reported accessing health care or health care services and 4% to 9% reported accessing Social Security Insurance (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).  In one location, 21% reported receiving General Assistance, 1% reported receiving VA Disability Compensation, 2% reported receiving Other Veterans Benefits, 2% reported receiving mental health services, and 5% reported receiving alcohol or drug counseling.  In addition, between 14% and 32% of homeless youth reported attempting to access counseling/mental health services and 4% to 11% reported having attempted to access a substance abuse program.  In terms of need, 5% to 42% reported a need for health care or medical services, 6% to 17% reported a need for substance abuse services or treatment specifically, 10% to 20% reported a need for counseling/mental health specifically, and 7% to 35%
reported a need for dental care or vision care specifically.

To prevent and end homelessness of the nation’s youth, the types of assistance that homeless youth and youth at-risk of homelessness need to obtain sustainable
housing and other basic necessities must be determined and provided.  The report and upcoming blogs will describe additional facets that should be addressed to
reduce youth homelessness.