Resources For Houseless Youth In Oregon

                                                 Resources For Houseless Youth In Oregon

                                             

According to the federal data and transient and unsheltered population counts cited in the research report, Oregon has the highest percentage of youth who are homeless in the country (0.36%). People under the age of 25 who don’t have a stable or safe place to live are considered houseless youth. In Oregon, 22,336 public school students reported being homeless or were couch surfing or living in motels in the 2019-2020 school year, according to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education. There are many factors contributing to the increasing number of young people living on the streets, such as conflicts with family, financial instability, systemic issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. LGBTQ+ youth who are rejected by their families are also affected. Other reasons are the high cost of housing and scarce employment opportunities. The challenges houseless youth face extend far beyond a lack of shelter. Houseless youth do not have access to education, employment, or healthcare, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and instability. 

According to WalletHub, Washington D.C. has the highest child poverty rate in the U.S. (30.8%) followed by West Virginia (29%) and Mississippi (27.6%). The parts of D.C. which have the most wealth and high education are mostly in white neighborhoods black neighborhoods are more at risk for being in poverty. According to Michael Krezmien, director of the Center for Youth engagement and a special education professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the challenge of engaging at-risk kids is magnified in rural and smaller school districts. “Rural schools face numerous challenges with the engagement of youth in K-12 school(s), and in the transition to postsecondary education, training, and employment. Some of these challenges are associated with the lack of capacity to meet the instructional needs of K-12 youth because of the limited budget for licensed educators in their respective fields,” Krezmien said. “For example, many small rural schools cannot support science teachers in their respective areas of expertise (earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics). 

Despite the challenges, Oregon has seen the emergence of various initiatives and programs aimed at addressing youth homelessness. If you or someone you know is a person 25 and under facing housing issues please visit this link for resources and more information about how you can find help: 

https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/homeless-youth/pages/default.aspx

How Can You Help?

            You can have a role in addressing youth homelessness in Oregon by volunteering with local organizations that support houseless youth, donating to relevant causes, and advocating for policies that prioritize affordable housing and social services. It is also really important to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes surrounding houselessness because this can help shape our society to be
more compassionate and understanding.