On the journey to end homelessness in Calgary, it became clear that young people (under the age of 24) require a plan tailored to their unique needs. Research and local consultations told us that most young people enter into homelessness largely as a result of difficulties in their families. Young people experiencing homelessness for the first time are likely leaving a setting in which their lives were governed by adult caregivers (i.e. parents, foster parents, group homes). The pathway into youth homelessness also often involves episodes of hidden homelessness (i.e. couch surfing, staying with friends).

Youth homelessness is unique because young people:

• are physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and socially still developing – they are adults-in-progress with unique strengths and assets;
• enter into homelessness with little or no work experience;
• are often forced into leaving their education (i.e. junior high and high school) as a result of their homelessness;
• experience high levels of criminal victimization, including sexual exploitation; and
• often enter into homelessness without life skills such as cooking, money management and job searching.

Youth homelessness is also unique because young people (under the age of 18) have distinct legal entitlements and restrictions separate from those of adults. Attached to these separate legal entitlements and restrictions is a dedicated justice system, education system, child protection system and health services.

The accepted definition of youth homelessness in the Plan to End Youth Homelessness in Calgary (Youth Plan) is as follows: “A homeless youth is an unaccompanied person age 24 and under lacking a permanent night time residence. They can be living on the street, in shelters, couch surfing, in unsafe and insecure housing, and living in abusive situations. They may also be about to be discharged without the security of a regular residence from a care, correction, health, or any other facility,” (Setting the Course: A Blueprint to End Youth Homelessness in Calgary, 2009).

The updated 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary (10 Year Plan) recognized a community call for action and the Youth Plan was built into Strategy One: Prevention and Rehousing.