Homeless Youth Awareness Month

National Homeless Youth Awareness Month

According to Elevate North Texas Youth Shelter, "Pre-COVID, Dallas ISD reported 3,964 students who were experiencing homelessness. Mesquite ISD reported an additional 670 students who were experiencing homelessness. We know that number has grown with so many families finding themselves without employment due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Dallas Morning News reports that "homeless teens are more likely to be involved in the prison system, to struggle with addiction and mental health and to be at risk for human trafficking."

Other facts from Elevate:

• 4.2 million youth experience homelessness in the U.S. 
• 1 of 3 youth on the streets will be  propositioned for sex within the  first 48 hours of being homeless
• 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year as a result of assault, illness or suicide
• LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness

Finally, Elevate's website reports:

There are only 4,117 beds available nationwide for youth.

For more information about youth homelessness in North Texas, please reach out to Elevate or The Trevor Project.

Texas Homeless Network Point-in-Time (PIT) count from the night of January 26, 2023.