CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Best 5 States for Homeless Youth — and the Worst
State Index on Youth Homelessness
Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, in conjunction with the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, recently released the State Index on Youth Homelessness, which evaluates the challenges that the millions of homeless youth and young adults living in the U.S. experience. The index aims to end the cycle of homelessness by recommending tools that prioritize the safety, development, and health of homeless youth to states, advocates, grassroots activists, and even youth themselves.
Distressingly, LGBTQ youth are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth, according to a study done by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. The index evaluates 50 states and the District of Columbia in 61 categories, using points up to 100 to determine which states provide the best resources to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, and which states need the most improvement. Overall, the index reports that youth experiencing homelessness face a hostile environment that is not supportive of their needs, and especially recommends that states prioritize listening to youth voices when drafting legislation and creating better and easier access to education.
Here are what the index found to be the five states doing the best job of combating homelessness among youth, and the five that need to make the biggest changes.
Washington
Washington State ranked the highest on the index -- the Evergreen State is particularly notable for meeting the most criteria and recommendations across laws, policies, systems, and environment in the State Index on Youth Homelessness. It is one of the few states to meet over half of the index's criteria and recommendations, with numerous policies in place to safeguard kids from living on the streets. Washington is famously liberal and controlled by Democrats; a lesbian, Jenny Durkan, is mayor of Seattle.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the few states that has a law similar to the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act that provides funding for emergency servcies and other supports to prevent and end youth homelessness. Massachusetts has long prided itself on outreach to LGBT people, being the first state with marriage equality. It has also enacted protections for trans people and is moving ahead with a ban on the use of "conversion therapy" on youths. The index says "conversion therapy" is one of the indicators for future homelessness among LGBT young people.
California
California is notable for having progressive laws and policies that benefit and protect youth experiencing homelessness, as one of the few states that promotes safe and inclusive environments in its runaway and homeless youth programs by providing protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The state is also known for its welcoming gay meccas, like San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Connecticut
Connecticut is one of only six states that subsidizes child care for eligible minor parents when employment or school is required under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a public aid program.
Colorado
Colorado has one of the best environments to combat youth homelessness, as one of six states to maintain a youth action board or council that informs policy on the issue.
Arkansas
Landing in the bottom five, Arkansas lacks any official plan to end general homelessness and definitely no plan to end youth homelessness.
Wyoming
Wyoming came in near the bottom, partly because it does not maintain an interagency council on homelessness.
Idaho
Idaho considers running away a status offense, contributing to its awful rating in the index.
Alabama
In Alabama, youth experiencing homelessness cannot use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as food stamps, to buy prepared meals when they do not have regular access to a kitchen. This is partly why Alabama tied for the worst state when it comes to youth homelessness services.
South Carolina
South Carolina classifies truancy as a status offense, helping it land (like a thud) on the absolute bottom on the state index on youth homelessness.
Latest Stories
Out and About with Sasheer Zamata
October 03 2024 3:08 PM
Thirsty pics from last URGE Miami 2023
August 28 2024 3:19 PM
Breckenridge, Colorado’s 10-Mile Pride is an unexpected haven of queer joy
June 30 2024 10:36 PM
11 of Sarah Paulson's Best Performances (So Far)
June 17 2024 3:21 PM
Pines Play lifestyle brand celebrates Fire Island just in time for Pride
June 16 2024 8:30 AM
35+ sizzling pics from Provincetown Pride 2024
June 11 2024 1:17 PM
Top 10 Pride destinations for Millennials
June 11 2024 11:41 AM
Check out these 5 ways to celebrate (and survive) Pride with the kids
June 05 2024 11:00 AM
LGBTQ+ Airbnb travelers rate their top 10 cities
June 05 2024 9:45 AM
Top 10 surprise Pride destinations
May 30 2024 11:30 AM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Get ready for a sizzling summer at Fire Island Pines in 2024
May 03 2024 9:00 AM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination, revulsion with blood
March 28 2024 6:45 PM
Go green with envy with 70 pics from Sidetrack Chicago's St. Patrick's Day party
March 28 2024 6:06 PM
Unleash your Winter Party 2024 cravings with these 30+ pics from last year
February 15 2024 3:54 PM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
2024 Primetime Emmys: LGBTQ+ celebs who walked the red carpet
January 15 2024 8:17 PM
25 pics of hot, shirtless celebs just to remind us of warmer weather
January 14 2024 10:47 AM