Why Are Young People Homeless?
Many factors increase a young adult’s odds of experiencing homelessness including race, LGBTQ+ status, family conflict, domestic violence, unemployment, and not completing their education.
Every unsheltered young adult comes to ROOTS with a unique set of challenging circumstances. Their hope is to resolve and stabilize their situation and ultimately thrive. Without support, the odds of experiencing chronic homelessness increase significantly.
At ROOTS, we know that early intervention is essential to prevent young adults from becoming chronically homeless. As a result, ROOTS is often the first place a recently homeless young adult comes for shelter and supportive services.
Umbrella Causes of Young Adult Homelessness
Intimate Partner Violence
An intimate partner violence experience is common among young adults and for many, it is the immediate cause of their homelessness. Survivors often turn to homeless service programs primarily because they lack the economic resources to secure or maintain housing after leaving an abusive living situation. ROOTS has the capacity to provide shelter and resources immediately.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination
LGBTQ youth face greater risks of homelessness than their peers and higher levels of hardship than other unhoused young adults. These young adults experience higher rates of assault, trauma, and more. ROOTS offers all young people a safe community where they are treated with dignity and respect.
Lack of Affordable Housing
The lack of affordable housing puts millions of young adults at increased risk of homelessness. Young people who leave or are removed from their family homes face enormous housing challenges. Many are ill-prepared to find and hold a job that can cover their housing and related expenses. ROOTS does not limit the number of nights a guest may stay.
Physical and Mental Health Challenges
The health risks of homelessness are compounded in young adults, who are still developing physically, mentally, emotionally, and cognitively. Many of the physical and mental health issues these young adults face are similar to those faced by adults living homeless. ROOTS provides case management to every young person who is ready to get help.
Racial Discrimination
Systemic racism is a major pipeline to young adults homelessness. Over half of ROOTS’ guests are people of color. Racial discrimination limits access to employment, housing, education opportunities, health care, and many other vital services. At ROOTS we are allies, and model inclusion based on trust and honesty.
Unemployment
Finding a job is very difficult when experiencing homelessness. Lack of housing and consistent access to technology makes it challenging to search for jobs, write a resume, and prepare for an interview. Those who are able to overcome these barriers still face rampant discrimination when seeking employment. ROOTS’s case managers help young people overcome barriers to find and access employment.
Human Trafficking
Vulnerable young adults experiencing homelessness are easy prey for the multi-billion dollar criminal human trafficking industry. ROOTS provides trauma-informed resources and care to victims of trafficking.
Foster Care & Welfare Systems
When young people age out of foster care without support, they become susceptible to homelessness, human trafficking, and other threats to their well-being. Unfortunately, over 40% of young adults exiting the foster care system experience homelessness within one year. ROOTS has the capacity to provide shelter immediately and help find the next steps.
Criminal Justice System
When young adults are forced to leave home — they may couch surf, live on the streets, or get lured into trafficking or exploitation. “Survival crimes,” like theft, unlawfully trespassing to take shelter in harsh conditions, or other survival behaviors increase the likelihood of incarceration. ROOTS focuses on positive intervention and helps address barriers created by the impact of the criminal legal system.
