The Consequences Faced by Unaccompanied Youth & the Cost to Society

As a result of their homelessness, unaccompanied youth face devastating harms and barriers in life, all of which hinder their ability to re-assimilate into society, depress their motivation, and inhibit their becoming independent, successful, and contributing members of their families and communities. The consequences of homelessness bring despair to youth in the form of mental health problems, substance use, victimization and criminal activity,

unsafe sexual practices, and barriers to education and employment. These problems further burden society with the cost of finding ways to take care of these youth. If these youth are not helped, they will likely become an addition to the population of chronic homeless adults.