Children are often a priority for homeless services systems. As a result, families with children are least likely to be unsheltered, but runaways and young people not living with their families do not receive the same access to services. Most homeless children are without shelter. Many homeless youth have been found living in uninhabitable dwelling places. They also live with depression.

It is estimated that unaccompanied youth make up 50% of the homeless youth population and they are unsheltered. 66% of all homeless people live with no shelter at all and often in places that are not meant for human habitation. Poverty is the highest risks factor that leads to homelessness.

Resources:

211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services in the country.

National Youth Crisis Hotline 800-448-4663

The Trevor Project: A leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Need help? 1-866-488-7386 (24/7) https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Runaway Services:

Runaway Hotline (All Calls are Confidential) 800-231-6946

Other Resources: Minding Hearts Resource List, https://mindinghearts.com/resources/

Children that live on the streets are at higher risks of physical assault, rape, mental health disorders, and abduction into human trafficking. Humanium reports that nearly 60% of homeless children spend at least one day a month without food and that every year at least 20,000 Americans are forced into prostitution by human trafficking networks.

Homeless children cannot attend school because they do not have documents that are required to enroll in classes such as medical records, birth certificates, and an address.

Homeless runaways are more likely to be incarcerated than they are to be offered services and help.

Minding Hearts is building advocacy and peer support groups in each state.  The groups are created to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for those that might not otherwise be heard. We are here for encouragement, education, and support. We cannot give legal advice, but we can try and direct you in the right direction with your case. Links to legal services are listed with their states. Please share and let’s grow our groups. We are here to support families and develop resources that maintain family integrity. We look forward to your support. If you would rather become active by donating, then visit the donation page.

References

CDC, (2020), Homelessness as a Public Health Law Issue, Center for Disease Control, Retrieved From, https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/resources/resources-homelessness.html

Community Solutions, (2021), The Challenge, Homelessness is a problem that’s more costly to ignore than to solve. Homelessness is a complex, life-threatening problem. It can be solved — but only if systems are built to get to zero.  Retrieved From, https://community.solutions/the-challenge/

Health.am, (2015), Mental Health Disorder Statistics, http://www.health.am/psy/more/mental-health-disorder-statistics/

State of Homelessness: 2020 Edition, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Retrieved From, https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homelessness-statistics/state-of-homelessness-2020/

Statista, (2021), Prevalence of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks among public health workers in the United States as of April 2021, by race/ethnicity, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1255157/prevalence-select-mental-health-conditions-by-race-in-us/