The recent surge in homelessness across the United States is a stark reminder of the critical challenges we face as a nation. A recent Point-in-Time report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that over 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, representing an alarming 18% increase from the previous year. In that same report, 150,000 children were unhoused, a shocking 33% jump from the previous year. We are witnessing a crisis that demands immediate attention and action.
This crisis is particularly devastating for older foster youth, as they represent one of our country’s most at-risk populations. According to a 2021 study authored by Chapin Hall, a quarter of foster youth who age out of the system in California ended up experiencing homelessness by age 23, and more than a quarter reported having couch surfed. These statistics underscore the critical importance of providing support during the transition to adulthood.
The overall homelessness rate in the U.S. has reached 23 out of every 10,000 people. Our work at First Place for Youth shows that targeted, upstream interventions can make a significant difference. By providing stable housing, education and employment support, and life skills training to older foster youth ages 18-21, we can prevent homelessness before it begins.
As the CEO of First Place for Youth, an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, I can attest to the impact we can have when we invest in proactively preventing this instability for foster youth. Our flagship My First Place program combines housing, education, employment and life skills support. In the fiscal year 2024, we served 550 youth across six California counties through My First Place, and 97% achieved stable housing as they exited the program. The vast majority of those youth attended some form of post-secondary education or were on a pathway to a living wage.
These outcomes demonstrate that with the right support, foster youth can overcome the odds and build successful, independent lives. The recent surge in family homelessness, which rose by nearly 40% from 2023 to 2024 according to the recent Point-in-Time report, further emphasizes the need for programs that support young adults in establishing stable households.
As we face this national crisis, it’s clear that we need a multifaceted approach to address homelessness. While immediate housing solutions are crucial, we must also invest in prevention strategies that target vulnerable populations like foster youth.
I call on policymakers, community leaders and fellow citizens to support organizations like First Place for Youth that are doing the vital upstream work to prevent homelessness. By investing in our youth today, we can build a stronger, more stable society for tomorrow.
The homelessness crisis is daunting, but it is not insurmountable. With targeted interventions, comprehensive support and a commitment to our most vulnerable youth, we can turn the tide and ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive in a stable, secure home.
