SERVING THE RUNAWAY YOUTH
An Overwhelmed System
As the need continues to significantly outpace the number of available beds in shelters and affordable housing in LA County, the homeless count has continued to climb to staggering highs. As reported by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, 6,000 young people in the US were tallied amongst the homeless population in a count preformed in January. This is a 61% increase from 2016, a disheartening percentage hike for an already devastating epidemic.
While the system is overwhelmed due to lack of bed space, funding and a multitude of other failing support systems currently in place, the chances of an unaccompanied homeless youth to find a bed or housing in LA County becomes even less attainable due to overflowing waiting lists in youth shelters and by failing to meet minimum age requirements for housing programs such as rental vouchers.
Many of the LA County homeless youth are resistant to or unwilling to utilize emergency housing programs being offered on skid row due to their distrust of authority as a result of abuse, neglect and the overall failure in responsibility from adults in their lives.
However, there are programs that have successfully supported homeless youth in their journey to rehabilitate from the streets. Proper programs geared towards their interests in conjunction with non-threatening guidance and support, fosters new trust in adults and organized systems generating the results needed to combat this tragic epidemic. Such programs within the non-profit sector heavily rely on donor support. Truly, no amount is too small in supporting the homeless youth. Consider joining the Hamlet for the Homeless community and donate today!
