ASPE Youth and Homelessness Briefs: Factors Associated with Prolonged Youth Homelessness, Serious Mental Illness and Prolonged Youth Homelessness, and Interventions for Addressing Prolonged Youth Homelessness

From the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, these three briefs address issues associated with prolonged youth homelessness, the role of mental health, as well as interventions that have been attempted to prevent and stop youth homelessness. Factors include history of childhood maltreatment, involvement in the justice system, and higher high school dropout rates, among others. Mental illness is also prevalent among the chronically homeless, including youth. Supportive housing interventions can provide safe and stable housing for these populations. Other interventions include programs to support education and employment, as well as those that reduce substance abuse. However, none of these interventions have been rigorously tested and merit further investigation.