YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN THE UNITED STATES

Youth Homelessness in the United States

Youth Homelessness in the United States

Introduction

Family conflict and abuse are consistently identified by unaccompanied homeless youth as the main reasons for homelessness. (Popple, 2005) A system to end youth homelessness must include prevention and early intervention services to address the underlying abuse and family dysfunction and achieve family reunification. (Henslin, 2005) In this framework, prevention services are those that enhance family functioning and prevent abuse and conflict scenarios that lead to throwaway.

Early intervention services are programs designed to meet the early stages of homelessness of a young man back to the home through family reunification, guardianship, or placement in housing programs for young people. (Shelt, 2004) This thematic report identifies proven interventions in the fields of child welfare, community mental health and juvenile justice, and promotes its use as a model of prevention for homeless youth and early intervention. (Mizerek, 2004) It is aimed at community planners and youth advocates, who must view these services as critical components of a service and range of housing that can end youth homelessness.

Homeless Youth

Homeless youth are typically defined as the age of unaccompanied young people aged 12 years (until the age of 17, 21 or 24) who lack family support and are living in shelters, on the streets, in places not intended for human habitation (e.g. cars, abandoned buildings), or in the homes of others for short periods in highly unstable conditions (also known as Couch Surfing. ") Youth homelessness is largely a reflection of the family disintegration and young people tend to flee their homes because of abuse, neglect, serious conflicts and crisis. (Bassuk, 1987)

The number of homeless youth is difficult to count, for reasons of methodology and definition, but estimates indicate that up to 2 million young people will experience at least one night of homelessness each year. The investigation revealed several important observations about homeless youth. First, the abuse, neglect and family conflicts are often used as precursors for homeless youth. Research has found that 40 to 60 percent of all homeless youth have experienced physical abuse, and between 17 and 35 percent have experienced sexual abuse. (Yamaguchi, 1997)

Young people often identify serious family conflicts as the primary reason for their homelessness. Some young people may be rejected and abandoned by their parents due to her pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity.5 Surveys of homeless youth often suggest that mental health disorders and abuse of parents or young people can contribute to escalation of abuses and conflicts to promote youth outside their homes.6 is important to recognize that abuse, neglect, and rejection is not solely responsible for homeless youth. Poverty, lack of affordable housing, inaccessible health care, and systemic racism are other factors. (Popp, 1998)Beyond Unification

Unfortunately, a significant minority of young people homeless, family reunification is not a realistic option. Some young people have no immediate family or known to able to take them in. (Langer, 2003)

For others, the risk of re-abuse is too great, and the placement of a family ...