Oklahoma Homeless Youth Increase 39% Amid Shelter Shortage

Homelessness in the United States is increasingly affecting vulnerable groups including older adults, youth, and those with histories of trauma or family breakdowns. In Rhode Island, older adults who face homelessness often encounter limited resources, chronic health issues, and a history of trauma, with many experiencing homelessness for the first time after age 50, according to Kim Simmons, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. Youth homelessness is rising in Oklahoma, where inadequate shelter availability and funding shortages leave many young people, including those fleeing abuse or aging out of foster care, without stable housing, contributing to high chronic absenteeism in schools. In Los Angeles, former foster youth face significant housing instability compounded by mental health challenges, with programs like MHALA focusing on trust-building and tailored support to aid stability. Matthew Barnett, founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, highlights that family breakdowns and drug culture are primary drivers of homelessness, emphasizing the need for structured, faith-based rehabilitation programs rather than reliance on costly incarceration or ineffective policy. These perspectives underscore a homelessness crisis that is multifaceted, deeply tied to social and personal factors, and demanding comprehensive, compassionate solutions.