It is well known that youth, in particular, transition-age youth (18-24), are extremely difficult to identify. Due to the stigma associated with being labeled "homeless" many youth experiencing homelessness do not want to be counted in the first place. Imagine being in their shoes; a victim fleeing domestic or sexual violence, kicked out of a home for your sexuality or gender identity -- a constant reminder that you have been assigned a label you cannot run from, and now, yet another? The word conjures up the image of a pariah, an outcast -- no one wants to be the homeless kid in school or among a group of friends -- regardless of circumstance. So, many of these youth do what they can -- couch surf, stay with friends, live out of a car, engage in all the activities that are seen as the norm for any youth or young adult, and try their best to blend in with the crowd.
It is estimated that nearly 1.7 million youth under the age of 18run away from home or experience homelessness in our nation in a given year. This is a startlingly large figure, especially considering it is likely an underestimate. Given this situation, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness amended their 2010 strategic plan, Opening Doors, to include a focus on youth homelessness and identify the unique needs of unaccompanied youth.
In addition, in January of 2013, the federal departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) coordinated an interagency initiative entitled Youth Count!. They selected nine diverse and dynamic communities to participate in this pilot initiative, which aimed to develop promising strategies for counting unaccompanied homeless youth up to 24-years-old, through the collaborative efforts of groups and individuals within each community.
Following the example set forth through the Youth Count! pilot initiative, the Miami Coalition for the Homeless, in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, is undertaking an effort this summer to identify unaccompanied and unstably housed youth age 12-24 in Miami-Dade County. Through coordinated outreach, organizational collaboration and partnerships, we will be conducting the first ever targeted pilot youth count in hopes of approximating the true prevalence of youth homelessness in Miami-Dade County.
We cannot allow these youth to be isolated and to feel alone any longer. First, many of them are in situations that are extremely dangerous (sleeping in cars, and sometimes even on the street). Second, we need to know their true numbers so that we can push for the programs, services and housing they need. These youth are a part of our future as a nation. If they are to succeed in school and work, they need stable housing and the supportive services that their families are unable to provide. If we succeed in identifying, counting and helping them, we will not only prevent their homelessness, we will be moving our country one step closer to assuring that our future is in good hands.