There is a misunderstanding among many community members that the majority of youth in need of transitional housing are youth living in the rough, in the parks, outside or on the street. Over the last couple of years, the youth population that has grown and in need of affordable transitional housing is actually composed of youth still in school or holding low-paying jobs. They often shun government assistance for fear of being stigmatized or they are ineligible for assistance. This group couch surf, live in crowded basements, someone’s RV or with inappropriate partners. This vulnerable population is growing. Our metro region does not have the capacity to house them.
To understand more about this growing population, please watch and listen to this video called “Invisible: Diaries of New York’s Homeless Youth,” produced by the Reciprocity Foundation in New York city. This short, mini-documentary, is a wonderful window in youth who are not criminally or drug entrenched but have a difficult time getting their lives in order without stable, affordable housing. This video can also be accessed by clicking here: Documentary