By Darcy Dao and Diane Ngo
At least 2.5 million teenagers are homeless, that’s in the US alone. (pbs.org)
According to the Bill Wilson Center, youths often become homeless due to family problems, physical and/or sexual abuse from their parents or guardians, or from getting kicked out of their house. Most family issues revolve around poverty, mental health problems, substance abuse, loss of a parent due to death or incarceration, or being placed in foster care. If there is a family history of homelessness, it can also play a major factor into their displacement.
One of the main reasons why young people run away is due to struggling with their sexuality and feeling neglected.. They don’t feel safe or accepted at home. For most situations, they are either being kicked out or running away entirely. At least 35% of homeless teenagers are identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. (orlandosentinel.com).
In San Jose, Timothy, a teen who almost became permanently homeless due to family issues says, “I think family impacts you a lot. You just don’t realize it. When I was kicked out, I realized how much they dealt with mental health problems and were not able to take care of me.” Timothy dealt with his parents’ smoking and alcohol abuse constantly. Until a neighbor called for CPS (child protective services) and his parents were so fearful that Timothy would testify against them in court, they ultimately kicked him out.
According to YouthCare studies of a homeless youth sample, 33% had been in foster care, 51% had been physically abused, and 60% of girls and 23% of boys have been sexually abused.
At least 57% of homeless youth spend at least one day every month without food. Without food, homeless youths can begin to suffer from poor nutrition leading to poor brain function.
At least 2.5 million teenagers are homeless, that’s in the US alone. (pbs.org)
According to the Bill Wilson Center, youths often become homeless due to family problems, physical and/or sexual abuse from their parents or guardians, or from getting kicked out of their house. Most family issues revolve around poverty, mental health problems, substance abuse, loss of a parent due to death or incarceration, or being placed in foster care. If there is a family history of homelessness, it can also play a major factor into their displacement.
One of the main reasons why young people run away is due to struggling with their sexuality and feeling neglected.. They don’t feel safe or accepted at home. For most situations, they are either being kicked out or running away entirely. At least 35% of homeless teenagers are identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. (orlandosentinel.com).
In San Jose, Timothy, a teen who almost became permanently homeless due to family issues says, “I think family impacts you a lot. You just don’t realize it. When I was kicked out, I realized how much they dealt with mental health problems and were not able to take care of me.” Timothy dealt with his parents’ smoking and alcohol abuse constantly. Until a neighbor called for CPS (child protective services) and his parents were so fearful that Timothy would testify against them in court, they ultimately kicked him out.
According to YouthCare studies of a homeless youth sample, 33% had been in foster care, 51% had been physically abused, and 60% of girls and 23% of boys have been sexually abused.
At least 57% of homeless youth spend at least one day every month without food. Without food, homeless youths can begin to suffer from poor nutrition leading to poor brain function.
Timothy spent half of the month of February starving, as he didn’t earn enough money for food. Barely a dollar a day. “Sometimes, when I’m hungry I just go into restaurants and eat their ketchup packets without ordering anything.”
In San Jose, the epidemic is growing to college students. San Jose State has the most homeless students across the CSU system. According to the CSU system, officials believe that nearly 11% students have been homeless or experienced homelessness during their college careers. (abc7news.com)
Over half a million people are homeless, California has about 134,000 homeless people, roughly 24 percent of the nation’s total homeless population. The Los Angeles County has the most within the state, at least 55,000 people an audit summary said. (www.scpr.org). Most people are spending the night either in homeless shelters or in some sort of short-term transitional housing. More than a third are living in cars or under bridges or are in some way living unsheltered.
The government tries to help as much as they can. For instance, the San Jose City Council prioritize having permanent housing and a way for locals to report homelessness concerns. (sanjoseca.gov)
As a student I (Diane), feel like this hits close to home. With the number increasing each year, it could happen to my friends or someone I know. Within San Jose, the number of teenage and college students that are homeless is solidifying into an epidemic.
As a student I (Darcy) say that seeing people homeless is just very scary and dangerous, dangerous because homeless people have to be out in the streets late at night and because you never know what can happen to them. I feel as if the community should do something to help out this cruel world such as spread awareness and have more affordable housing. In some instances, some homeless people spend their money carelessly but we need to help those who truly want to survive.
In San Jose, the epidemic is growing to college students. San Jose State has the most homeless students across the CSU system. According to the CSU system, officials believe that nearly 11% students have been homeless or experienced homelessness during their college careers. (abc7news.com)
Over half a million people are homeless, California has about 134,000 homeless people, roughly 24 percent of the nation’s total homeless population. The Los Angeles County has the most within the state, at least 55,000 people an audit summary said. (www.scpr.org). Most people are spending the night either in homeless shelters or in some sort of short-term transitional housing. More than a third are living in cars or under bridges or are in some way living unsheltered.
The government tries to help as much as they can. For instance, the San Jose City Council prioritize having permanent housing and a way for locals to report homelessness concerns. (sanjoseca.gov)
As a student I (Diane), feel like this hits close to home. With the number increasing each year, it could happen to my friends or someone I know. Within San Jose, the number of teenage and college students that are homeless is solidifying into an epidemic.
As a student I (Darcy) say that seeing people homeless is just very scary and dangerous, dangerous because homeless people have to be out in the streets late at night and because you never know what can happen to them. I feel as if the community should do something to help out this cruel world such as spread awareness and have more affordable housing. In some instances, some homeless people spend their money carelessly but we need to help those who truly want to survive.