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Homeless Youth

Since 1991, Wilder Research has conducted a statewide survey every three years to better understand the causes, circumstances and effects of homelessness. Children, youth, and young adults make up about half of the people who are homeless in Minnesota.

On a typical night in Minnesota, there are an estimated 600 youth under age 18, and even more young adults who are homeless and on their own. These are among the least visible and most vulnerable homeless people. Most have experienced serious upheaval in their lives; about half have been physically abused.

Learn more
New documentary — Homeless Youth: Finding Home Click the play button to start, or view this video at YouTube.com. In this new documentary, Six young adults provide an inside look at how homelessness has affected their lives, the circumstances that led to it, and their insights on issues around homelessness.Their stories tell of instability, abuse, and neglect, as well as the challenges of “couch-hopping” and living on the streets. But they also show hope and strong determination to get their lives back on track. Companion discussion guide (PDF)
	Read more about this issue —Homeless in Minnesota 2006 at-a-glance: Youth and young adults on their own This report provides key findings and highlights from interviews of more than 600 youth and young adults conducted in October, 2006 as part of Wilder Research's triennial survey. Additional key trends, findings and study methodology can be found in the full report, Overview of youth and young adult homelessness in Minnesota: Facts and analysis of data from the 2006 statewide study. View this and other reports on homelessness.
Related report Finding adoptive families for teens: Practice tips from the Homecoming Project for working with teens under state guardianship

Take Action

You can make a difference by volunteering, donating, or helping with advocacy efforts. Here are a few suggestions:

Volunteer:

Avenues for Homeless Youth
Provides emergency shelter, short term housing and support services for homeless youth. They offer a number of ways you can help homeless youth from providing a youth with clothing, to decorating a room, to preparing meals.

The Bridge
Helps youth in crisis get off the street and into safe shelter, reunite with families and build skills for a better life. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring, wellness coaching, assistance with recreational activities, and help with administrative tasks.

GLBT Host Home Program
Volunteers for this community-based program open their homes and hearts to young people who need and are looking for a healthy and nurturing connection to a caring adult. For more information contact Raquel (Rocki) Simões

Hope Street for Runaway & Homeless Youth
A program of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, and outreach services to youth in crisis. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
LSS operates transitional living shelters and community programs serving homeless youth. Volunteer opportunities—in the Twin Cities area and across Minnesota—include preparing meals, providing child care, or teaching life skills.

Statewide Homeless Study of 2009
Help Wilder Research with the next statewide study of homelessness. Conduct face-to-face interviews on October 22, 2009, with people who are homeless. For more information contact Karen Ulstad

Become an advocate:

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
As a faith-based organization, LSS joins with a broad diversity of faith traditions and others to advocate for those who are disadvantaged. One example is Movement of Hope working to ensure that every child has a safe, supportive place to live.

Minnesota Housing Partnership
Provides an "advocacy toolbox" with information about state and local representatives and guidelines for writing to legislators, and definitions of terms. It provides advocacy alerts and tools to take action on housing issues of concern.

Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Provides a number of ways to raise awareness and take action as an individual, group, service provider or elected official.

Youth Moving Forward
Join the campaign to end youth homelessness! The focus of this coalition is to support prevention and intervention efforts to end youth homelessness in Minnesota.