2014 Youth Homelessness Report

Youth homelessness is unique because young people are still in the developmental stage of their lives. For most young people, family support plays a key role as they navigate the process of becoming self – sufficient adults. Families often provide basic needs, financial support, one-on-one support and advocacy, social and emotional support, and guidance. Young people who leave home are often deprived of these essential experiences. They enter into homelessness with little or no work history and often experience high levels of criminal victimization. Additionally, young people who become homeless generally possess fewer life skills (i.e. cooking, money management and job searching). Homelessness also makes it difficult for young people to attend school.

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