Without A Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey

5.7 Building Resilience, Assets, and Opportunities
It is clear from the data gathered in this survey that, as a group, this is a population that
faces severe adversity in virtually all major life domains. Evidence of this struggle appears
in most areas of life, including housing, employment, and education. Challenges in these
areas are often accompanied by routine exposure to violence, severe marginalization, and
poor mental health. Indeed, our analysis of resilience among these young people suggests
that they are often left feeling hopeless and helpless, with little faith in themselves and
others to resolve their situation.
It is, however, very important that the story not end here. While homeless youth do have
an array of distinct challenges and needs, they also have unique and remarkable resources
that persist despite the adversity they face. It is also notable that a high percentage of the
youth surveyed have high levels of self-esteem.
There are many strategies we can use to build resilience, assets, and opportunities for
these youth. First, there are opportunities to tailor services to specific groups in ways
that will enhance impacts and better focus resources. Young women, sexual and gender
minority groups, racialized and Indigenous youth all have unique challenges and unique
strengths. Tailored approaches might include connecting youth with LGBTQ2S-positive
communities and spaces, or providing culturally relevant approaches for Indigenous youth.
Additionally, these are youth who typically cycle in and out of homelessness, schools, and
work. Each one of these cycles is an opportunity to put prevention strategies in place and
build assets. If implemented with care, these prevention strategies can stabilize the gains
made and mitigate risks (e.g., through supported housing and employment services, or
through jail diversion, for instance).
The majority of youth surveyed
have worked and want to work.
Similarly, many youth want to go
back to school, and some study
participants were still engaged in
school despite being homeless.
This suggests a clear opportunity
to build on personal assets and
by providing young people with
housing and necessary supports, we
can enhance access to education
and employment.
WITHOUT A HOME: THE NATIONAL YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SURVEY
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