Homeless and Foster Youth, Racial Inequity, and Policy Shifts for Systemic Change

Abstract

Each year, roughly 4.2 million young people experience homelessness, and more than 600,000 children interact with the foster care system nationwide. 1 Although youth homelessness and foster care are distinct experiences, many youth will crossover between these two groups. Both groups also face similar challenges, including highly unstable living environments, food insecurity, and often gaps in educational achievement and attainment.While the legal definition of youth homelessness varies across states and targeted policies, the Department of Education defines homeless youth as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." 2 This can include, but is not limited to, youth living in shelters, cars, public spaces, or doubled up with other families. Youth who meet this definition and are also not living with a parent or guardian are considered "unaccompanied youth." 3 Foster care offers a temporary placement for children who cannot live with their families. While in foster care, youth may live with related or unrelated foster parents or in group homes, shelters, residential care facilities, or supervised independent living arrangements. 4 Although homeless and foster youth are distinct groups, they share many attributes and experiences.Both foster and homeless youth are disproportionately Black. While only 14 percent of youth nationwide identify as Black or African American, 38 percent of homeless youth and 23 percent of children in foster care are Black. 5 Not only are Black children more likely to enter foster care, they tend to remain in foster care longer, are more likely to experience frequent placement changes, and are less likely to be reunified with their birth parents. 6