Insight to Impact 

Defining Youth in the Homeless Population  

In the U.S., 4.2 million young people experience some form of homelessness each year, including 1 in 10 aged 18–25 and at least 1 in 30 aged 13–17. These numbers capture a broad group whose lives have been shaped more by external forces than by personal choice: Family instability, neighborhood conditions, and breakdown of public systems pushed many into homelessness. 

Who are the youth facing homelessness? 

This population is significantly younger than the typical adult experiencing homelessness and faces distinct risks. Many who seek help at Covenant House report their first episode of homelessness before age 13, often while living in unsafe or unstable housing.  

Early childhood homelessness greatly increases the likelihood of recurrent homelessness during adolescence and young adulthood. Most youth are between 16 and 24 years old when they arrive at our Covenant House sites in the United States.  

Recent intake data show high levels of trauma and need: 53% report mental health challenges, 35% are survivors of domestic violence, 29% have foster care histories, and 19% experienced human trafficking. 

What Is Insight to Impact? 

To effectively combat the rise in youth homelessness, Insight to Impact (i2i) — a new partnership between Chapin Hall and Covenant House — proposes a combination of programs focusing on: 

• Prevention: legal advocacy, community education, and rapid rehousing to stop youth from becoming homeless in the first place.
• Intervention: immediate, youth-centered services for young people facing homelessness, including mental health care and trauma-informed supports.
• Restoration: housing programs a youth can afford on a minimum wage salary in an urban environment that provide youth stability while they build their own independence. 

Programs like Covenant House’s affordable-for-youth housing model combine these elements and demonstrate how coordinated supports can reduce recurrence and promote long-term success. 

An Urgent Call 

If current trends continue, youth homelessness could more than triple by 2035, surpassing 14 million young people. Youth are still developing, making them especially vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation, and destructive family conflict. Their needs can only be properly met by programs designed from the ground up with youth in mind. 

Preventing and ending youth homelessness requires decisive, coordinated action now: We must invest in prevention, scale crisis interventions, and expand affordable-for-youth housing programs. When young people have stability and supportive systems, they can grow into independent, thriving adults. We must act quickly to make that possible.