Special Population: Teens Facing Homelessness

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, one in thirty adolescents are

affected by homelessness annually in the United States (NCSL, 2023). Among those who are

most at risk of becoming unhoused are teens who have aged out of foster care or were released

from the juvenile justice system. This is largely due to a lack of transition planning on the part of

the associated institutions (NCSL, 2023). Another high-risk population is LGBT youth. These

teens are more likely to be ousted from home by their parents, and are statistically more likely to

be harassed or brutalized due to discrimination (Love, 2008).

While there are many risk factors that contribute to teen homelessness, a lack of support

systems is perhaps the greatest. It is this deficiency that gives way to other common risk factors,

including poor academic performance, use of substances, physical or sexual abuse, mental

illness, and early pregnancy (Love, 2008). Teens in unsupportive environments lack the coping

skills needing to navigate successful development.

For adolescents, homelessness becomes dangerous very quickly. Aside from a lack of

shelter and difficulty obtaining food and clothing, teens run the risk of physical and sexual

violence. While assault and trafficking are serious concerns for unhoused people, many teens

turn to sex work in order to meet their basic needs. In fact, one third of homeless youth engage in

paid sexual acts within the first 48 hours of being unhoused (NCSL, 2023). This may be due in

part to what one study described as a problem of self-efficacy. While self-efficacy is generally a

positive asset for developing young people, this quality is found to be associated with more

crime and risky behavior among homeless teens (Tyler et al., 2019).
 Perhaps due to constant toxic stress levels, the leading cause of death for homeless youth

is suicide (NCSL, 2023). However, there are interventions that can be made long before a teen

reaches such desperate circumstances. A lack of awareness of resources not only leads to

criminal and risky behaviors (Tyler et al., 2019), but can also leave homeless youth feeling

hopeless and alone. Legislation for the benefit of homeless teens is steadily improving. The

Every Student Succeeds Act passed in 2015 requires states to make accommodations for

homeless youth to finish school. This includes free transportation, the right to participate in all

programs offered to housed students, and protection from discrimination or separation from other

students based on their housing status (NCSL, 2023). At a local level, resources in the Akron

area can prevent homelessness for at-risk teens, offer assistance to those currently unhoused, and

help teens stay on track to reach a happy, safe, and healthy adulthood. In 2022 alone, Summit

County Continuum of Care served 584 homeless youth (SCCC 2023) (see “Appendix” page for

more details). Akron also offers food and housing assistance in the form of shelters, nonprofits,

and public school programs. Teens affected by homelessness should be encouraged to seek and

utilize all resources available to them in their community.