Young People of Color Are More Likely to Face Homelessness

Young people who are Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous experience homelessness at higher rates, largely due to systemic and structural racism.

83%

Black or African American youth had an 83% higher risk of reporting homelessness in the U.S. than white youth

33%

Nonwhite Hispanic youth are 33% more likely to experience homelessness than white youth

3x

Indigenous people face homelessness at about three times their population share of 1.3%

How Does Racial Discrimination Impact Youth of Color?

“Youth of color are subject to biased perceptions of misbehavior by educators and stories that perpetuate a ‘failure narrative’.”

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Racism negatively impacts a young person’s sense of self. As teenagers, young people establish critical aspects of their identity within the various environments, influences, and exposures that surround them. In the book “Reaching Teens,” the authors write that these forces can either build strengths or “create tension and deliver toxic levels of stress.”

Racism also attempts to lock young people of color into low expectations for their lives, the authors add. Two-thirds of Black and Latine youth attend segregated schools that often have lower budgets that impact class size, teacher qualifications, and the availability of instructional resources.

Help Young People Overcome the Harms of Racial Discrimination

Your support today can make the difference for a young person of color facing homelessness.

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Who Is at Risk of Youth Homelessness?

Many factors increase a young person’s chances of experiencing homelessness, but some of our most vulnerable populations face the greatest risk.