What programs help youth struggling with homelessness?

Challenge

Over the course of a year, between 1.3 and 1.7 million youth experience at least 1 night of homelessness; 500,000+ youth may be homeless for a week or longer. In addition to youth living on the streets and in shelters, many more youth are at risk of homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is funding the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program in communities across the country to build coordinated systems to prevent and end youth homelessness. 

Westat conducted a 4-year evaluation of the first 10 communities funded, examining the implementation and outcomes of this effort.

Solution

Westat annually interviewed multiple key informants, conducting focus groups with youth and young adults, reviewing documents, and examining administrative data.

This effort helped to understand

• How the communities develop and implement coordinated systems
• How these systems affect homelessness youth

Results

The work helps guide systems across the country in how best to meet the needs of youth and young adults struggling with homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

Access the HUD website for all reports: Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program