How many youth are homeless in America?

Summary of the Article: Homelessness Among Youth in America

At least 700,000 adolescent minors ages 13 to 17 experience a form of homelessness in the course of a year — that’s 1 of every 30 adolescent minors. In total, at least 4.2 million young people experience a form of homelessness in a given year, from couch surfing to living on the streets.

States identified 1,280,866 students experiencing homelessness during SY 2019-20. When compared to the overall number of students, students experiencing homelessness accounted for 2.5% of students enrolled in public schools (NCES, 2021).

Homelessness among youth in America is often rooted in family conflict. Other contributing factors include economic circumstances like poverty and housing insecurity, racial disparities, and mental health and substance use disorders.

San Jose has seen its homeless population explode in the past decade, with more than 6,650 people living on the streets as of 2022.

All public schools are required to identify and help homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Public schools across the U.S. have found that around one million children are experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

One third of all homeless people are children, under the age of 18.

There are 100 million homeless children living in the streets around the world. 250,000 children die every week from diseases and malnutrition. 2 million children are objects of sexual abuse – child pornography and demand for child prostitutes has increased globally.

California has the largest homeless population in the United States with 161,548 individuals experiencing homelessness. There are several reasons why California has such a high rate of homelessness.

68% of U.S. cities report that addiction is their single largest cause of homelessness. “Housing First” initiatives are well intentioned but can be short-sighted. A formerly homeless addict is likely to return to homelessness unless they deal with the addiction.

Los Angeles has the highest chronic homeless population in the nation. One third of all homeless people are children, under the age of 18. In Los Angeles County, there are 65,484 students without homes.

States with the highest rates of homelessness, calculated as the number of people experiencing homelessness per 1,000 residents in the state, were California, Vermont, Oregon, and Hawaii. Washington, D.C., has a higher homelessness rate than any state, with over 6.5 people experiencing homelessness per 1,000 residents.

Questions:

1. How many kids are homeless in the USA?
   At least 700,000 adolescent minors ages 13 to 17 experience a form of homelessness in the course of a year — that’s 1 of every 30 adolescent minors. In total, at least 4.2 million young people experience a form of homelessness in a given year, from couch surfing to living on the streets.
2. What percentage of US students are homeless?
   States identified 1,280,866 students experiencing homelessness during SY 2019-20. When compared to the overall number of students, students experiencing homelessness accounted for 2.5% of students enrolled in public schools (NCES, 2021).
3. Why are youth homeless in America?
   Homelessness among youth in America is often rooted in family conflict. Other contributing factors include economic circumstances like poverty and housing insecurity, racial disparities, and mental health and substance use disorders.
4. What city has the most homeless youth?
   San Jose has the most homeless youth, with more than 6,650 people living on the streets as of 2022.
5. How many K-12 students in the US are homeless?
   All public schools are required to identify and help homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Public schools across the U.S. have found that around one million children are experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
6. What percentage of American homeless are children?
   One third of all homeless people in America are children, under the age of 18.
7. How many kids are homeless in the world?
   There are 100 million homeless children living in the streets around the world. 250,000 children die every week from diseases and malnutrition. 2 million children are victims of sexual abuse.
8. Which state has the highest number of homeless children and youth in the country?
   California has the highest number of homeless children and youth in the country, with 161,548 individuals experiencing homelessness.
9. What is the major cause of homelessness in America?
   Addiction is the major cause of homelessness in America. 68% of U.S. cities report that addiction is their single largest cause of homelessness.
10. Where are the most homeless kids?
    Los Angeles has the highest chronic homeless population in the nation. One third of all homeless people are children, under the age of 18. In Los Angeles County, there are 65,484 students without homes.
11. What are the top 5 homeless states?
    The states with the highest rates of homelessness are California, Vermont, Oregon, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C.