Youth Experiencing Housing Instability

Why Is This Important?

Young people experiencing homelessness face significant educational, health, and emotional challenges. Most adolescents who experience homelessness do so as part of a family that includes at least one adult. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Heatlh & Human Services, Adolescent Well-Being after Experiencing Family Homelessness: - Adolescents who recently experienced a stay in a homeless shelter were more likely to experience housing instability and to live in overcrowded conditions than other low income families, even though they lived with their families. - Adolescents in families with recent experiences of homelessness were much more likely to have changed schools or been absent from school than their peers nationally at all income levels. - Recently homeless adolescents who changed schools frequently had lower grades, less motivation, and more problem behaviors than those who did not. - Adolescents with recent experiences of homelessness generally exhibited more problem behaviors than their peers nationally across all income levels.

Definition

Number of high school students who answered, - In the home of a friend, family member , or other person because I had to leave my home or my parent or guardian cannon afford housing - In a shelter or emergency housing - In a motel or hotel - In a care, park, campground, or other public place - I do not have a usual place to sleep to the question, "During the past 30 days, where did you usually sleep?"

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

Health Program Information

For more information, visit: [https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/opre_homefam_brief3_hhs_adolescents_061016_b508.pdf].