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Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Posted April 23rd, 2008

Position Statement Summary

Date:
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Full Statement

In the state of Minnesota there are an estimated 22,410 unaccompanied youth who runaway or experience homeless every year. Of these 22,410 youth Wilder estimates that 39% or 8,740 of them are homeless for at least six months or longer.

Why Youth are Homeless:

  • 63% of homeless youth cannot live with their families because of severe conflict or abuse
  • 15% cannot live with their families because of lack of adequate housing
  • 15% are homeless because their parent or guardian cannot provide housing for them at all because of their own situation of homelessness, and
  • 7% have been kicked out by their families due to their sexual orientation or gender identity
  • 71% of the homeless youth have been in a county referred out-of-home placement (foster care, group home or corrections placement) with 53% having been a part of the foster care system.

    • Support the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act! (SF 980/HF 537)
    State funds are needed to support a continuum of care to meet needs of homeless youth, from crisis to independence and self-sufficiency.Require accountability for Independent Living Plans through a court review prior to court dismissal of jurisdiction.
    Help ensure that a youth leaving foster care has in place the essentials any parent would want for their child leaving home. Increase the expectations for providers and case managers to begin independent living training with youth long before their departure from care.

    Provide automatic Medical Assistance coverage for youth aging out of care up to age 21.
    Over 40% of states have opted to expand Medical Assistance to cover youth up to 21, as allowed under the Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act.

    Allow youth to remain in care or return for care or assistance up to age 21.
    A recent study found that youth who chose to remain in care past their 18th birthday experienced better results than did former foster youth, who were required to leave care at 18. Remaining in care up to age 21 was associated with a decreased risk of economic hardship, criminal activity and pregnancy.

    For More Information

    For more information, contact Michael Dahl, MCH Executive Director (651) 645-7332 ext. 2 dahl at mnhomelesscoalition dot org or Anne Bomstad Miller, Grasstops Inc. Executive Director (612) 756-1313 anne at grasstops dot org.

    Policy Brief on Youth Homelessness: Download the Coalition's 2008 Policy Brief on youth homelessness.