Youth homelessness is a persistent and growing problem throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The causes of youth homelessness are wide ranging and complex, often involving issues related to childhood trauma, mental health, addictions, poverty, disrupted education, and a lack of safe and affordable housing. In addition to the tremendous cost to youth and their families, there is also a significant cost to society in terms of lost productivity, health care, justice and corrections, education and other areas. The issues behind youth homelessness are inherently complex. Without a unified and integrated approach between community and government there will continue to be a growing number of youth in our province who fall through the cracks and into homelessness. Once there, many youth run the risk of falling into long term cycles of homelessness as they enter adulthood. In the instance of youth families, there is also the risk of homelessness being perpetuated across generations.

Many Canadian communities have taken steps to create plans to end youth homelessness. It is our belief that through careful review of these plans, open dialogues with peers, anda focus on learning, that we can do the same in Newfoundland and Labrador. This document outlines a path forward in mobilizing efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness in the province.