National Homeless Youth Awareness Month is recognized every November in the US to raise awareness for children and teens in our own communities who are struggling with housing instability. Especially among youth, homelessness can be difficult to see. According to the McKinney-Vento Act, a homeless individual lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This can take many different forms for youth.

Here are some forms of homelessness that HYC sees among its youth:

1. Living in a long stay hotel or motel
2. Living in a shelter/transitional housing program
3. Sharing housing with another family due to loss of housing because of financial hardship
4. Living in a campsite, parked car, or public facility
5. Living with another person due to the death or incarceration of a parent
6. Living as a youth on their own due to neglect, abuse, or being kicked out

“Couch surfing” is a form of homelessness that is very common among unaccompanied youth (youth on their own). After being kicked out or forced to leave the home, youth will ask a friend or neighbor if they can stay with them for a little while. The youth stays on the couch or in a spare bedroom until they are asked to find another place to stay. Many youth move from house to house, only staying for a couple days to a few weeks at each residence. Some youth are forced to barter sex or free labor in exchange for a place to sleep.

HYC addresses housing needs for unaccompanied youth by offering a Host Family Housing Program by partnering with community members. By offering a spare bedroom or loft to one of HYC’s students, the host family offers a safe, stable, and healthy living environment for an unaccompanied youth. Interested in becoming part of the solution and learning more about our Host Family Housing Program? Send us an email at info@hycaz.org or call us at 623-374-3747 to find out how to get involved.

HYC partners closely with more than 120 schools in Maricopa County and the City of Flagstaff to identify youth experiencing any form of homelessness and connect them with needed services so they can live healthy, stable lives.