Supporting Worcester’s ongoing effort to understand and address youth and young adult homelessness, the Worcester Teen Housing Task Force in conjunction with Clark University conducted the second annual Point in Time survey on October 20th 2010. Out of the 1000+ young people ages 13-25 surveyed on this day, 200 of them identified as homeless—living in shelters, couch surfing, in parks, on the streets, in cars, or abandoned buildings. In addition to these 200 young people, another 231 youth who were housed had a friend who was homeless.
A press conference will be held to announce the results of this count on Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at the University Park Campus School, 12 Freeland Street. All are invited to attend.
Results from this survey show that youth and young adult homelessness is the product of a variety of factors, such as family conflict, school difficulty, domestic violence, early pregnancy, juvenile justice involvement, economic instability, and involvement in foster care. Homelessness in turn exacerbates or initiates mental health problems, causes disruptions in school and relationships, and makes young people vulnerable to health problems and engaging in risky behavior to survive. Pathways out of homelessness are difficult for young people to navigate.
Results from this study indicate more work is needed to reduce family conflict, to increase opportunities for youth and young adult employment, and to increase accessible and affordable housing options for young people.
The Teen Housing Task Force was created in 2008 under the direction of the MA Department of Children and Families and the Worcester Community Connections program of the Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. Today, there are over 27 agencies are represented on the Task Force including the City of Worcester, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, LUK, Youth Villages, Community Healthlink, the Genesis Club and the Worcester Youth Center.
Contact Laurie Ross, Assistant Professor of Community Development and Planning in Clark’s Department of International Development, Community, and Environment, at 508-873-3957 or lross@clarku.edu for more information.
