The National Alliance to End Homelessness’ (NAEH) website features a Youth Policy Focus Area which provides a wealth of resources related to homeless youth.
National studies indicate a surprisingly high rate of homelessness among youth. Researchers estimate that between 5 and 7 percent (between 1 million and 1.5 million adolescents) of the general teenage population experiences at least one episode of homelessness each year. This number does not include young adults (aged 18 to 24) who experience homelessness. Homeless youth and young adults are at risk for physical abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, chemical or alcohol dependency, and death. (Author)