Fact Sheet: Youth Homelessness

Edmonton (source: www.homewardtrust.ca)

The most recent Homeless Count in Edmonton in 2012 revealed 2,174 homeless people, 223 of whom were dependent children and 119 were caregivers. In addition, 56 youth under 16 without caregivers were also counted.

Canada (source: raisingtheroof.org)

In Canada, youth make up about 20 per cent of the homeless population.
Suicide attempts amongst street-involved youth are 10.3 times that of the national average for Canadian youth.
Mortality rates amongst youth experiencing homelessness are quite high, conservative estimate of up to 11 times the general youth population.
61 per cent of youth reported being either physically or sexually abused by an adult at some point in their lives.
Youth who stay on the street for two years are less likely to leave – making an intervention within the first two years key to solving the problem.
It costs an estimated $30,000 – $40,000 a year to keep a youth in the shelter system and over $100,000 per year to keep one youth in detention.
Several studies have found that youth experiencing homelessness have disproportionately been involved in child protection services or foster care in their lives. This number ranges from close to 30 to 49 per cent

Recent media stories

Canada failing homeless youth, report charges, Huffington Post www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/03/homeless-canada-youth-teens_n_4891685.html
Youth Homelessness is a Crisis, but a Solvable One www.thresholdhousing.ca/?p=2777
This is Why Street Kids Can’t Just Get a Job, Huffington Post www.huffingtonpost.ca/bianca-pang/homeless-youth_b_4833681.html

Recent research