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Youth experiencing homelessness are too often mischaracterized, miscounted, and misunderstood. In reality, the experience of youth homelessness can differ greatly from that of adult homelessness. To effectively combat the issue of youth homelessness in the greater Chicago area, we must first refute three primary misconceptions.

Adam Caar

Misconception #1

Youth homelessness looks the same as adult homelessness.

It can be easy to assume that youth experience homelessness in the same ways as adults. However, in reality the youth experience is often much different, characterized by instability and fluidity.

Adam Caar

Misconception #2

Youth homelessness is not a common or serious issue.

It is estimated that 14,000-16,000 youth in Chicago ages 14 to 24 are unaccompanied and experiencing homelessness, the vast majority of which are doubled up and navigating their education without a home.

Misconception #3

Youth are defined solely by their homelessness experience.

Youth experiencing homelessness have passions, talents, and dreams that motivate them to work towards the life of stability that has been taken from them.

Misconception #1

Youth homelessness looks the same as adult homelessness

Misconception #1

Fact

The Causes of Youth and Adult Homelessness Differ

Youth come to experience homelessness through a variety of pathways that cause major disruption in their lives. The vast majority of youth experiencing homelessness attribute their homelessness to one factor in particular – family disruption. Family disruption can include instances such as being kicked out by family for coming out as LGBTQ+, engaging with or exiting the foster care system, becoming pregnant or parenting, and undergoing family homelessness early in life.

Youth Experience Homelessness Differently than Adults

The vast majority of youth experiencing homelessness are invisible to the general public. During the course of one week, many youth experiencing homelessness cycle through several different types of housing/sleeping arrangements (e.g., couch surfing, shelters, and streets).  Too often youth who attempt to seek out the services they need are met by a system that is designed for their adult counterparts instead of a system that understands the transient youth experience.

Fact

Misconception #2

Youth homelessness is not a common or serious issue

Misconception #2

Narrow Definitions of Homelessness Prevent Youth from Accessing Services 

Official estimates of the number of youth experiencing homelessness are dramatically underestimated. This can lead to a vast disparity in youth-specific funding and youth access to resources, forcing homelessness services agencies to turn away young people on a daily basis.

Official Counts of Youth Experiencing Homelessness are Dramatically Underestimated

Because of the transient nature of housing for many youth experiencing homelessness, estimates of the issue's scope are often dramatically low, and there is a common perception that youth homelessness is a small-in-scope problem. However, one in 10 youth ages 18-25 and one in 30 youth ages 13-17 experience some form of homelessness. 

Fact

Fact

Misconception #3

Youth are defined solely by their homelessness experience

Misconception #3

Fact

Fact

Fact

Fact

Fact

Youth that Experience Homelessness are Resilient, Unique, Self-Motivated, Caring & Hopeful

The experience of living without housing, and the trauma that led to it, does not define a young person. Youth experiencing homelessness have passions, talents, and dreams that motivate them to work towards the life of stability that has been ripped away from them. 

Youth Who Experience Homelessness Speak Up and Give Back

Many youth who have experienced homelessness seek out opportunities to use their time, stories, and voices to give back to the communities that helped them along their journeys. They take the initiative to support the programs that supported them during their times of need and make an impact on the next generation of youth who are forced to overcome similar challenges. 

Fact

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Share these misconceptions with others.

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Be a part of the solution to youth homelessness.

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