comprised of young people
Comprised of young people, youth-serving agencies, youth workers, and youth advocates, National Network members seek to ensure that all young people can be safe and lead healthy and productive lives.
Who Are Runaway and Homeless Youth?
- Children and youth through age 17 who are not within physical custody of parent or guardian
- Homeless young adults ages 18 through 24
Definitions
Runaways
An individual under 18 who leaves home or legal place of residence without permission from their legal guardian or parent
Throwaways
Youth that were induced by their parents to leave against their will and no effort was made by the parents to find them once they left home
Homeless
Youth not more than 21 years of age; for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment with a relative and who has no other safe alternative living arrangement
Disconnected Youth
Another term used for runaway and homeless youth; the term specifically focuses on the youth's separation from societal institutions such as family, school, etc., which is indicative of their socioeconomic instability
Magnitude of youth homeless in the United States
It is estimated that 1.6 million youth between 12 – 17 experience homelessness in a given year
| Characteristics of Homeless Youth | |
|---|---|
| Gender: Male | 42% |
| Gender: Female | 52% |
| Age: | 30% are 15-16 years old (highest % of youth on the street by age) |
| Race/Ethnicity | |
|---|---|
| Caucasian | 57% |
| Black or African American | 27% |
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 3% |
| Asian | .9% |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | .6% |
Youth leave home for a variety of reasons including the following:
- Severe Family Conflict
- Parental Abuse and/or Neglect
- Parental Mental Health Issues
- Parental Substance Use