California has a responsibility to house homeless youth

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature have the resources needed to take bold action on youth homelessness. Thanks to significant growth in the state’s economy and federal stimulus funds, California policymakers have funding to create housing for young people who are experiencing homelessness. Not only could we get desperately needed roofs over their heads, but we could also help set them up for success in the future and take tangible steps to prevent chronic homelessness in California down the road.

Homelessness among young people in California is a critical issue. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 12,000 of California’s young adults under the age of 25 experienced homelessness, and there were over 2,600 parenting youth and their children who experienced homelessness. This accounts for more than a third of the nation’s homeless unaccompanied youth. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this number is likely much higher now, amplifying the need for urgent action.

Unfortunately, returning home is simply not an option for many youth who end up homeless due to abuse and neglect, parental substance abuse or incarceration, histories of family homelessness, or being kicked out because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are at higher risk (by 120%) for experiencing homelessness. This and the high cost of housing in California make it critical to provide options to youth who would otherwise shift from one temporary arrangement to the next, live in their cars, or on the streets.

Additionally, many youth experiencing homelessness have prior involvement with foster care or the youth justice system. According to a recent study, more than half of California’s youth in foster care experienced couch-surfing and/or homelessness between ages 17 and 21, despite the state’s legal responsibility to meet their housing needs while they are in foster care. Action must be taken to address the inequities experienced by young people who have been overlooked time and again.

Simply put, without stable housing, young people do not thrive. They experience trauma, worse physical and mental health, higher rates of substance use disorders, and higher rates of being victims of crime or engaging in criminal activity. They face greater barriers to education and employment than their peers who have not experienced homelessness. Additionally, they often lack the social support they need to learn the skills they will need as adults. All of these challenges make it nearly impossible for them to overcome homelessness on their own, forcing them into California’s ever-growing homelessness crisis.

But these challenges are not insurmountable. Services, connections to supportive adults, and, importantly, stable housing can lift young people out of homelessness for good. As the governor and the Legislature negotiate the state budget, it is critical that some of California’s surplus funding is used to increase the supply of supportive housing designed specifically for young people.

State Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB 234 offers policymakers such a chance. This bill would establish a forgivable loan program for government agencies and nonprofits to create new affordable housing units for 16- to 26-year-olds struggling with homelessness and those with child welfare or juvenile justice system involvement.

California can’t afford not to act. Investing in housing for young people is how California will begin to solve its growing homelessness crisis. And, for young people who have been overlooked for far too long, we must take meaningful and necessary action now to get them off the streets and help them thrive.