Without A Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey

THE PATHWAYS INTO HOMELESSNESS ARE
COMPLEX AND NON-LINEAR, AND ARE IN
MANY WAYS UNIQUE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL.
While family conflict is an underlying factor for
most youth, it is also true that deprivation and
abuse are important factors for a sizeable portion
of the homeless youth population.
For some young people fleeing such situations, moving to the streets may be experienced
as freedom. For most, however, the experience of homelessness can create, contribute to,
or compound a range of problems. Homelessness has been correlated with the following
problems for youth:
• Worsening health and greater
risk of injury (Boivan, et al. 2005;
Gaetz et al., 2010; MacKay, 2013;
Yonge Street Mission, 2009)
• Nutritional vulnerability
(Dachner & Tarasuk, 2013;
Gaetz et al., 2006; Tarasuk et
al., 2009a, 2009b; Tarasuk &
Dachner, 2013)
• Increased likelihood of
psychological problems and
addictions (Boivan, 2005; Gaetz
et al., 2010; Kidd, 2004, 2013;
Kidd & Kral, 2002; MacKay, 2013;
Yonge Street Mission, 2009)
• Exposure to early sexual
activity, exploitation, and safety
issues (Saewyc et al., 2013; Tyler,
Hoyt, & Whitbeck, 2000)
• Increased risk of criminal
victimization (Gaetz, 2004; Gaetz
& O’Grady, 2002, 2010, 2013)
• Greater likelihood of
involvement in the criminal
justice system (Baron, 2013;
Hagan & McCarthy, 1997; O’Grady
et al., 2011)
• Earlier incidence of dropping
out of school (Gaetz, 2014; Gaetz
& O’Grady, 2002; 2013; Liljedahl
et al., 2013; Noble et al., 2014)
• Entrenchment in the street
youth lifestyle (Gaetz, 2014;
Karabanow, 2004)
WITHOUT A HOME: THE NATIONAL YOUTH HOMELESSNESS SURVEY
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