Identifying the Causes of Homelessness Among the Youth

Housing plays a crucial role in the well-being of children and families. Stable housing, along with healthcare services and personalized non-medical care, is considered a critical factor for positive youth development. Unfortunately, the number of homeless youth has increased in recent years due to a lack of affordable housing.

While some young people who are homeless are living alone or with their peers, some belong to homeless families who do not have access to secure housing due to the housing crisis. Without access to vital resources and services like dental care, urgent care, or non-medical in-home care, many of these young people are unable to meet their basic needs. This National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we break down the common causes of homelessness among the youth:

• The presence of family conflict.

  For many youths, instability in their homes leaves them no choice but to get out onto the streets before they mature into adults. Family experiences like neglect, parental substance use, or family conflict can all contribute to youth homelessness.

• A lack of residential stability.

  Residential instability is most common among low-income families and is often considered a precursor to homelessness. Due to a lack of sustainable and affordable housing, low-income families tend to experience joblessness. A lack of financial resources may also make it more difficult to create a budget for medical and non-medical care services.

• Involvement with the child welfare system.

  At times, the involvement of the child welfare system can contribute to the problem. This includes interventions done by foster care and group homes. However, many adolescents lose the support of the child welfare system if they opt out or when they get older. In some cases, young people choose to leave their foster homes when they want to reconnect with their biological family or feel unwelcome in their placements.

Without proper care and support, young people who experience homelessness tend to experience mental health problems, barriers to education and employment, as well as lack of access to healthcare resources. We at Lowenhill Home Care Services recognize the importance of making care services accessible. Hence, we provide accessible home care services that can be personalized to meet your needs.