Report Youth Homelessness Overview

Definitions 

Accurately defining the issue of youth homelessness is a challenge. The defined age ranges for a “youth” or “young adult” vary across and within federal agencies and state governments. This makes it difficult to accurately measure the scope of and response to youth experiencing homelessness.  

Federal Definitions

The Department of Housing and Urban Development applies a specific categorical definition to unaccompanied youth under age 25. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, used in connection with assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines homeless youth as unaccompanied individuals under age 21. The Department of Education, however, provides resources to students experiencing homelessness and determines eligibility based on the definition outlined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  

McKinney-Vento defines homeless youth more broadly and without a specific age range. Specifically, it defines homeless children and youths as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and youths who: 

• Share the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason. 
• Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations. 
• Live in an emergency or transitional shelters or are abandoned in hospitals. 
• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for nor ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. 
• Who are migratory children living in one of the above circumstances. 

State Definitions 

States also define youth homelessness in various ways, many of which determine whether youth can access services. Some states define runaway youth, homeless children, homeless youth and homeless persons separately, while other states do not define homelessness at all. In addition, the age range between which youth are considered homeless varies. 

Homeless Youth 

According to a report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and the National Network for Youth, at least 23 states explicitly define the terms homeless child, homeless youth, homeless minor or homeless student. At least 12 states define the term youth and at least 19 states specifically define the term runaway, habitual runaway or chronic runaway. Some states’ definitions mirror or refer to the McKinney-Vento Act and include children who are sharing housing with others due to economic necessity, while other states mirror or refer to the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act’s definition of homeless youth. 

Runaway Youth 

The National Runway Safeline and Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs report that between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away from home each year. Youth most often run away from home and become homeless due to family conflicts, abuse and/or neglect. At least 19 states explicitly define the term “runaway” in both criminal and civil statutes. 

Risk Factors and Vulnerable Populations 

During adolescence, the brain grows and changes in significant ways, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. This stage of rapid brain development is shaped through thinking, planning, learning and acting and is dependent on experiences and opportunities. Peer relationships become more valuable, youth explore identity and autonomy and examine risks and rewards. Youth and young adults thrive with supportive relationships and in safe environments. The lack of these supports can contribute to youth and young adult homelessness.  

The Congressional Research Service identified a youth’s sexual orientation, school problems, pregnancy and substance use as primary risk factors for family conflict or disagreement. Family conflict is most often cited as the reason youth give for their homelessness or episodes of running away. The report notes that females are more likely than males to run away, and among white, Black and Hispanic youth, Black youth have the highest rates of running away.  

The Voices of Youth Count was established to better understand the gaps and scope of youth experiencing homelessness. The study found that while youth across all backgrounds and upbringings can become homeless, certain demographics are more susceptible. People of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+ and young parents disproportionately experience youth homelessness at higher rates. Native American youth have more than double the risk of experiencing homelessness compared to other youth. LGBTQ+ youth experience a 120% higher risk of becoming homeless after coming out to their families. Additionally, a person’s identity can intersect with multiple demographic categories and put them at an even higher risk of homelessness. 

All homeless youth, due to their unstable housing and a lack of a safe, caring adult, are inherently vulnerable to their surroundings. Youth in or aging out of foster care and youth involved in the juvenile justice system are even more vulnerable to the dangers of homelessness. 

Youth In or Exiting the Foster Care System 

According to the National Foster Youth Institute, over 250,000 children enter foster care each year and more than 23,000 youth age out annually. The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation data shows that children in foster care face multiple factors that increase their risk of homelessness, including age, the number of foster care placements, history of running away from placements and time spent in a group home or institutional setting. Many youth experiencing homelessness who have been in foster care consider their experience in the foster system as the beginning of their homelessness. They describe their experience as part of a larger pattern of instability, bouncing from foster home to group home, running away, back to another foster home or back home with their parents. 

Finding safe and stable housing can be challenging in and of itself, and often is greater for youth exiting the foster care system due to interrelated disparities, including lack of financial support, lower educational attainment and limited employment opportunities. The National Youth in Transition Database collects information about the housing outcomes of youth who have aged out of foster care. The data illustrate an interconnected relationship between homelessness and readiness indicators (e.g., a high school diploma, enrolled in school or employment by age 21). A Child Trends brief found that youth who demonstrated indicators of readiness were less likely to experience homelessness compared to those without the same indicators, and youth who experienced homelessness after the age of 17 were less likely to be ready for successful independent living. 

Older youth in foster care can benefit significantly from staying in foster care beyond age 18 according to a brief by Child Trends. Known as extended foster care, this is an option implemented by some states to lessen the risk of homelessness. This provides young adults with the opportunity to receive services and establish permanent connections with supportive adults prior to leaving the foster care system. 

The federal Family First Prevention Services Act was enacted in 2018 to overhaul child welfare systems and focus resources on preventing child maltreatment and reducing the use of congregate care. The law also created an opportunity for state policymakers to bolster services for youth experiencing homelessness. 

Family First allows states to use Title IV-E funding for services that reduce the need for out-of-home placements. Title IV-E funds can also be spent on prevention services, including mental health programs, substance use treatment and parenting skills courses. 

For example, the Minnesota legislature allocated Title IV-E funds to the Department of Human Services in collaboration with Hennepin County, YMCA, YouthLink and the Youth Law Project. Funds were used to create Project Minor Connect, a pilot program to assist youth ages 15 to 17 experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Project Minor Connect conducts individual needs assessments, helps youth access housing and provides family reunification supports. Minnesota’s Department of Human Services is required to report to the legislature about the project and the ongoing needs of youth experiencing homelessness. 

Additionally, Family First extends eligibility for the Chaffee Program to 23-year-olds, instead of the previous limit of 21—cultivating a stronger foundation for young adults to have a successful transition into independent living. 

Youth In or Exiting Juvenile Justice System 

The Voices of Youth Count found that 46% of youth who experienced homelessness had also been in a juvenile detention facility, jail or prison compared with only 15% of the general population. Homeless youth who had been in foster care also had a greater likelihood of being involved in the juvenile justice system and were more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. These youth were also less likely to be in school or employed and more likely to be receiving SNAP benefits.  

National Network for Youth found that youth who have been in the juvenile justice system have an increased likelihood of experiencing homelessness. Similarly, once youth are homeless, they are more likely to encounter the juvenile justice system. Further, having a juvenile delinquency record often makes it more difficult to find employment post-incarceration, and without employment, youth and young adults often find themselves homeless again. 

Youth who are homeless often become involved with the juvenile justice system due to status offenses—situations that would not be illegal, but for their age—such as breaking curfew or running away. Youth are also arrested for status offenses, often associated with survival, such as sitting or sleeping in a public location. States have addressed the intersection between youth homelessness and juvenile justice involvement in many ways, including redefining status offenses, decriminalizing the survival aspects of being homeless (e.g., sleeping in public) and regulating how youth are discharged from the juvenile justice system. 

Lack of transition planning increases the risk of youth becoming homeless upon release from the juvenile justice system. The Coalition for Juvenile Justice has identified key components to a successful transition plan for youth exiting the juvenile justice system, including housing, access to vital documents, educational and employment support, life skills coaching, mentoring, healthcare services, legal aid and help with strengthening personal relationships. 

Adverse Impacts 

Like many complex social problems, it can be challenging to differentiate the causes of youth homelessness from the consequences of homelessness. Many of the risk factors for youth and young adult homelessness are also adverse impacts of experiencing homelessness, including mental illness, substance use and abuse, expectant and parenting youth, criminal activity and victimization. Moreover, youth who have experienced homelessness generally have much higher rates of early death than their stably housed peers. The National Network of Youth found that suicide is the leading cause of death for unaccompanied youth without shelter.  

Children who experience homelessness are also more likely to experience homelessness in adulthood. Approximately 1.1 million children had a young parent experiencing homelessness. Therefore, the experience of homelessness potentially impacts both current and future generations. The Voices of Youth Count found that 44% of young women between the ages of 18 and 25 are pregnant or a parent, while 18% of young men between the ages of 18 and 25 have a pregnant partner or are a parent. 

Human Trafficking 

Human trafficking is a major vulnerability for homeless youth. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in three teens on the street will be lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. Youth who are homeless struggle to survive, and trading sex for money, food or a place to sleep can lead to human trafficking. 

The National Network for Youth estimates that 20% of runaway and homeless youth are survivors of human trafficking and that 68% of the youth who had either been trafficked or engaged in survival sex had done so while homeless. Further, LGBTQ+ youth and former foster youth are subjected to human trafficking at higher rates than other homeless youth. 

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six of the nearly 25,000 youth reported to them as runaways in 2022 were sex trafficking victims, and approximately 88% of those youth were in foster care or the child welfare system when they went missing.  

States have addressed human trafficking of minors with a variety of laws, including criminal penalties, judicial protections, funds and services, administration and cooperation, and awareness and regulation. 

Systems Coordination 

Due to the complexity of youth homelessness, it makes it unlikely any single government entity could effectively meet the challenge of ending youth homelessness. Coordinating across levels of government will be necessary. 

Local governments face the direct, day-to-day impacts of youth homelessness and provide an essential perspective for state policymakers. Many laws that impact youth experiencing homelessness are decided at the municipal level, including allocation of funding, criminalization of activities stemming from homelessness and access to sanitation services for unhoused youth. In addition, federal funds allocated to states often are reallocated to local governments and community service providers. 

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness was created by the McKinney-Vento Act in 1987 to coordinate the federal government’s collaborative response to homelessness. The USICH Council works in partnership with 19 federal agencies and a national network of state and local affiliates to prevent and end homelessness in America. 

In 2022, USICH published a new federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, with the goal of reducing homelessness by 25% by 2025. This comprehensive strategy has a multifaceted approach to mitigating nationwide homelessness including for youth and young adults. Policies focused on youth include improving data collection for students experiencing homelessness, increasing funding for programs that work with homeless youth, expanding access to supportive housing, providing training for employees of emergency shelters, and cultivating intergovernmental collaboration.  

State Interagency Councils on Homelessness 

USICH also helps states establish their own interagency councils and develop and implement plans to end homelessness. As of May 2024, USICH cited 26 active state interagency councils. A state interagency council can be established in one of three ways: 1) an executive order of the governor, 2) legislative action or 3) both an executive order and legislative action. Council membership often includes elected and appointed representatives, secretaries and commissioners from state agencies and community stakeholders. 

The National Academy for State Health Policy states that at least 15 states and the District of Columbia have an interagency council on homelessness or other coordinating body to address homelessness. Most of these councils and coordinating bodies produce research and recommendations to address youth homelessness. 

Department of Housing and Urban Development 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for developing and improving housing policies to better address the needs of communities throughout the country. HUD programs include community development block grants, rental assistance, subsidized housing, homelessness support and fair housing public education and enforcement. 

Continuums of Care 

HUD requires communities to submit a single application for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants to streamline the funding application process, encourage coordination of local service providers and promote the development of continuums of care. Continuum of care organizations are local or regional planning bodies that coordinate housing services and program funding for people experiencing homelessness. HUD outlines five components of a continuum of care that are eligible for funding, including 1) permanent housing, 2) supportive housing, 3) supportive services, 4) homelessness prevention and 5) homeless management information system maintenance. 

Youth action boards are also an integral component of continuums of care. They are composed of youth who are currently experiencing or formerly experienced homelessness. The boards ensure youth consultation is included in policy discussions. Members participate in workgroups, engage in legislative advocacy and educate schools and other organizations on how to identify and support youth who are experiencing homelessness. The youth on these boards are seen as experts on youth homelessness and help direct the implementation of a continuum of care programs. 

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program  

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program is a HUD initiative focused on coordinated community approaches to reduce rates of youth homelessness. The project is designed to provide federal funding to urban, suburban and rural communities to reduce youth homelessness. The funding is allocated to continuums of care that provide resources to homeless youth. In 2022, HUD allocated $72 million for the program to provide 25 grants ranging from $1 million to $15 million. 

U.S. Department of Education 

The U.S. Department of Education’s role in mitigating youth homelessness is primarily through the McKinney-Vento Act and data reporting. Each year, the Department of Education releases data on homeless student enrollment, but it is dependent on state and local educational agencies’ reporting procedures. Longitudinal data includes a breakdown of the residences for homeless students, proficiency gaps and McKinney-Vento funding. 

McKinney-Vento Requirements 

Under McKinney-Vento, schools must provide an equal education to all students regardless of their housing status. The law also ensures that the privacy of youth experiencing homelessness is respected. Some states have codified McKinney-Vento and enacted additional laws to help ensure students experiencing homeless can receive an education.  

In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act amended McKinney-Vento to detail the specific rights homeless youth are entitled to, including the right to continue attending their school of origin, the right to be immediately enrolled in a new school, free transportation to and from school, the ability to participate in all programs and services offered to other students and the right to not be separated from other students. These amendments require schools to be accountable for the educational outcomes of homeless students including preschool children, and mandate that schools track and report high school graduation rates of homeless students. 

Homeless youth and their families have the right to formally dispute educational decisions in violation of McKinney-Vento. Dispute-resolution processes help ensure procedural safeguards for homeless students and their families when challenging a school’s decision. Some states have safeguarded equal access to education for youth who are experiencing homelessness by codifying McKinney-Vento dispute resolution provisions into state law, while other states use agency rules to outline the process for appealing a school’s decision under the act. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

The Department of Health and Human Services conducts research and provides grant programs related to homelessness. Services are provided through several HHS agencies, including the Administration for Children and Families. 

Administration for Children and Families 

The Administration for Children and Families promotes the economic and social well-being of children, families and communities. ACF maintains many offices, departments and bureaus focused on different facets of child, youth and family well-being.  

The Family and Youth Services Bureau works to reduce the risk of youth homelessness, teen pregnancy and domestic violence. It operates the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program which supports street outreach, shelters and transitional living community programs. It also operates the National Runaway Safeline, which provides support to youth at risk of running away or those that have run away or are homeless. 

Additionally, the Children’s Bureau provides guidance, funding, training and technical assistance, research and oversight across child welfare issues, including child abuse and neglect prevention and protection, foster care and guardianship. The bureau monitors child welfare outcomes and provide reports to Congress on progress. This data can be useful when understanding the intersection of foster care and youth homelessness. 

Office on Trafficking in Persons is another intersectional office that develops anti-trafficking strategies, policies and programs to prevent human trafficking and support victims. 

State Offices of Youth Homelessness 

To prevent youth homelessness and meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness, some states have created dedicated state agencies, offices or cabinets to coordinate services and prevention efforts. Colorado and Washington have dedicated offices of youth homelessness through state legislation. 

Colorado’s Office of Homeless Youth Services is located within its Department of Local Affairs and was created to provide information, coordination and support services to public and private entities serving homeless youth. The Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs in Washington, located within the state’s Department of Commerce, leads efforts to coordinate a spectrum of funding, policy and practice efforts related to improving the safety, health and welfare of homeless youth. 

New Jersey has a statewide Office of Homelessness Prevention within its Department of Community Affairs. Responsibilities of the Office of Homelessness Prevention include establishing a comprehensive prevention program that focuses on providing outreach, shelter services and transitional housing for homeless and runaway youth. 

Utah established a Homeless Network Steering Committee within the state’s Office of Homeless Services. The steering committee is not solely focused on youth homelessness; however, it is required to support connections across continuums of care, local homeless councils and local governments. It also coordinates statewide emergency services for individuals experiencing homelessness.  

State Policy Scan 

State policymakers are increasingly enacting legislation to meet the needs of youth and young adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Recent legislation has broadly included adopting state definitions of youth homelessness, addressing the disparate outcomes of vulnerable populations and protecting the federally guaranteed educational rights of homeless youth. States have also passed legislation to address common barriers to housing stability and better align systems serving youth. In addition, legislatures are also enacting legislation to prevent homelessness before it happens.  

Education

Homeless youth often face barriers to enrolling, attending and thriving in school. Not having a secure home environment, reliable transportation or a quiet place to study can make learning much more difficult. According to recent data from SchoolHouse Connection students experiencing homelessness have a high school graduation rate of 68% compared to 81% for other low-income students and the national average of nearly 87%. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, states are required to report high school graduation rates of homeless students, but it remains a difficult statistic to accurately measure. 

State policymakers have prioritized bolstering educational support for students experiencing homelessness. Legislation focused on youth homelessness and education includes expanding reporting requirements, awarding partial scholastic credit to youth who must transfer schools due to housing instability, increasing access to social workers in K-12 education and providing rental assistance to students’ families experiencing homelessness. 

California requires all local educational agencies to establish homeless education program policies that are consistent with state laws and requires these policies to be updated at least every three years. Colorado provides access to school social workers in public elementary schools with the K-5 Social and Emotional Health Act. 

Kentucky offers coursework completion alternatives for students experiencing homelessness and exempts these students from any additional requirements a local school board may impose beyond the state’s minimum high school graduation requirements. Oregon has a pilot program through which certain school districts make one-time distributions to families of students to assist with unpaid rent, past-due utilities or move-in expenses. 

Most youth and young adults need financial assistance to attend college. This is particularly true for homeless youth. According to a report by School House Connection, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington—have policies to help homeless college students attain degrees. While —California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada and Oregon—exempt homeless students from paying tuition and fees or give residency status and in-state tuition rates to homeless students. 

Florida, for example, waives tuition and fees at all Florida College System institutions and state universities. Nevada waives tuition and fees for all residents of the state experiencing homelessness provided they maintain at least a 2.0 GPA each semester. Louisiana authorizes its public postsecondary education institutions to grant resident status to youth who are homeless and 19 years old or younger. Tennessee requires postsecondary educational institutions to designate a staff member to serve as a homeless student liaison who assists homeless students who are enrolled or planning to enroll. 

Foster Care 

Ending the pipeline from foster care to homelessness is a significant opportunity for legislatures. Half of the youth who leave foster care are not reunited with their families. Many are not ready for independent living, and too often they become homeless. Some states have addressed this by providing transitional housing assistance. Others have extended the time youth and young adults can stay in foster care. 

According to the Children’s Bureau, 48 states, the District of Columbia and American Samoa allow 18-year-olds to extend their out-of-home care and continue receiving services from the social services agency. Most states allow youth to remain under agency supervision until they are 21 years old; however, six states—Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia—have extended foster care support beyond the age of 21 and up to 26 in some situations. Oregon and Utah are the only two states that do not offer continued foster care and supervision beyond age 18; however, they do provide supportive services to youth formerly in foster care up to age 21. 

Thirty-three states allow youth who leave foster care when they are 18 years old to request a return to foster care at any point before age 21. Iowa and Vermont allow the request before age 22, and Connecticut permits a return to foster care until age 23. Youth are allowed to return to foster care to help further their education, employment, personal safety or self-sufficiency. Illinois has an interagency agreement between the Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education and several other government agencies to provide homelessness prevention services to youth in care and young adults who are aging out of, or have recently aged out of, the custody or guardianship of the Department. Prevention services include support with housing, education and employment. 

Juvenile Justice 

Youth experiencing homelessness may resort to criminal behavior for survival and this can lead to involvement with the juvenile justice system. Prevention policies such as housing assistance, trauma-informed care and substance use counseling can reduce contact with the juvenile justice system.  

Virginia requires local social services departments to provide up to six months of housing support to anyone 18 to 21 years old who turned 18 in foster care or while in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Housing support includes direct rental payments to help build self-sufficiency. 

Washington requires the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection, in coordination with other state offices, to create a rapid response team that supports youth and young adults exiting a publicly funded system of care, including the juvenile court system. The rapid response team supports youth and young adults who are at risk of becoming homeless and who are exiting a publicly funded system of care. 

Minor Consent for Services 

Accessing essential services (e.g., housing, health care and legal services) often is challenging for youth experiencing homelessness, especially in states that require parental consent. Some state legislatures have taken steps to enable unaccompanied minors to access legal support, medical services, housing and other basic needs. 

Housing 

Oregon allows pregnant or parenting youth to contract for housing without a parent or legal guardian. Indiana permits shelters to provide services to homeless youth without notifying parents or guardians. Missouri allows homeless youth ages 16 or 17 to apply for admission to a shelter, engage in a housing contract, apply for employment, enter high school or apply for college admission, establish a bank account, obtain medical care, purchase a vehicle, apply for student loans and receive domestic violence or sexual assault victim services. 

Health care 

In some states, youth do not have the right to consent to health care which can limit their ability to access preventive and emergency health care. School House Connection has tracked at least 35 states and the District of Columbia allow minors to consent to health care. Some states, like Alabama, permit youth older than 14 to consent to medical, dental or mental health services. Other states, including Maine, allow youth to consent to the same services, provided they are living separately from their parents or legal guardians. Arkansas authorizes a McKinney-Vento liaison to consent to medical treatment for a homeless minor. 

The District of Columbia allows, on a temporary basis, emancipated minors, unaccompanied homeless minors, minors who are or have been pregnant or minors who are separated from their parents or legal guardian without support to consent to receive a vaccine. Florida allows unaccompanied homeless youth at least 16 years old to consent to medical, dental, psychological, substance abuse and surgical diagnosis and treatment, including preventive care for themselves or their child, if the youth is unmarried and has custody of the child. 

Driver’s Licenses, IDs and Vital Records 

Everyone needs a government-issued identification card or driver’s license to apply for housing, open a bank account, get a job or receive public assistance. Homeless youth who cannot access these vital identification records are limited in their ability to become self-sufficient. 

Minor youth under 18 years old often need a parent or guardian’s signature or a parent or guardian to be present when applying for identification. Many states also require fees and proof of residency to apply for state-issued identification cards. A government-issued identification card is required to obtain a copy of a birth certificate which homeless youth often lack. Some states have taken measures to remove these barriers by: 

• Waiving or reducing fees for non-driver identification cards and/or birth certificates. 
• Allowing applicants to prove residency with a signed affidavit, regardless of homeless status. 
• Allowing applicants to submit an affidavit or certification of homeless status as documentation of residency. 
• Waiving the requirement that a parent or guardian be present. 

Indiana allows youth experiencing homeless to obtain photo identification cards and driver's licenses, as well as copies of their birth certificate, without charge or consent of a parent, guardian or custodian. To do so, the youth must meet certain guidelines and possess a waiver affidavit. Kentucky waives birth certificate fees for any youth experiencing homelessness. The exemption applies to anyone experiencing homelessness under the age of 25. New Mexico waives all fees for birth certificates for homeless individuals and removed restrictions on access to vital records for unaccompanied youth and youth experiencing homelessness. 

Shelters 

States have taken a variety of approaches to offer and regulate access to homeless shelters and supportive services. Common policy elements include age requirements, training for shelter staff and access to wraparound services. 

Utah allows any youth at least 15 years old and managing their income to access shelter services. Wisconsin allows 17-year-olds to access shelters if the minor is not under the supervision of a county department, a child welfare agency, the department of corrections or under the authority of the court. New York requires all employees of programs that provide care to runaway and/or homeless youth to complete training related to LGBTQ+ runaway and homeless youth.  

In 2019, Maryland created a work group to study shelter and supportive services for unaccompanied homeless minors. The work group issued a report to the governor detailing policy recommendations to reduce barriers to services for youth experiencing homelessness. Recommendations include allowing minors to consent to housing and shelter services and establishing a registry of service providers that work with youth experiencing homelessness.