Background and Statistics
Missed Opportunities: Pregnant and Parenting Youth Experiencing Homelessness in America
Chapin Hall research demonstrates high rates of pregnancy and parenting among youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, and underscores the critical need for greater support for this population. Findings also point to several areas for prevention and intervention.
Research BriefEarly Childhood Homelessness: State Profiles
This report from the U.S. Department of Education illustrates statistics on early childhood homelessness and education in each state.
Resources
Supporting Young Families
Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness
This youth.gov database focuses on key resources about relevant federal programs, guidance, evidence-based and promising practices, early childhood supports, parenting supports, behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse), housing, employment, and education.
Using the Best That We Know: Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
This Project HOPE brief provides an overview of risks to young children experiencing homelessness as well as opportunities and resources available to support infants and toddlers.
Housing Assistance
HUD Exchange: Need Housing Assistance?
This page links to resources for housing assistance, food, health and safety, and much more.
HUD: Local Information
Click on your state to find out about federal rental assistance, links to emergency and prevention services, and legal assistance, among other programs.
HUD: PHA Contact Information
Click on your state to find your local Public Housing Agency.
HUD: Housing Choices Vouchers Fact Sheet
Here HUD provides basic information about Section 8 housing vouchers.
2-1-1
211 is the most comprehensive source of local human and social services information in the U.S. and most of Canada. Call 211 to find emergency shelters or learn about programs that offer rental assistance, subsidized housing, and housing vouchers.
Community Action Agencies
Many local communities have Community Action Agencies (CAA) funded by the Community Services Block Grant, a federal program that allocates funding to states to connect Americans to greater opportunities. Your local CAA may be able to assist with housing needs.
Education for Homeless Youth and Their Children
Education Help for Runaway and Homeless Youth
Children and youth who are homeless or in unstable housing continue to have a right to education -- including adolescent parents and their children. This brief describes the McKinney-Vento law and links to resources.
Head Start Center Locator
Head Start promotes school readiness of children under 5 from low-income families through education, health, and social services.
Identifying and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness from Pre-School to Post-Secondary Ages
Here the U.S. Department of Education describes government programs, laws, and policies that may benefit homeless students.
Partnering to Support Educational Success for Runaway and Homeless Youth
This brief is designed for educators and providers of services for youth experiencing homelessness. It provides a brief overview of the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) and Education for Homeless Children and Youth programs, highlights statutory requirements for cross-program collaboration, and suggests specific strategies for building effective partnerships.
New York City (NYC) Resources
NYC Supportive Housing
On this page, the NYC Human Resources Administration links to affordable housing resources, eviction assistance, NYC rental supplement programs, Section 8 housing, and more.
NYC Housing Resource Directory
Generation NYC: Youth Experiencing Homelessness
This site for youth living in New York City connects users to housing resources.
Parent Handouts: Housing/Utilities/Transportation
The Children's Advocacy Project of New York City compiles user-friendly, comprehensive listings of many social service agencies.
Housing/Utilities Resource List
NYC Standardized Vulnerability Assessment Criteria Fact Sheet
The NYC Standardized Vulnerability Assessment is conducted on all approved Human Resources Administration Supportive Housing Application Referrals. This assessment takes into consideration the applicant's living situation and challenges impacting their independence, and determines the level of vulnerability.
NYC Affordable/Low-Income Housing
Affordable housing in NYC has income and credit requirements. Applications are picked through a lottery system. This page provides links to affordable housing programs.
NYC Homelessness Prevention: Homebase
Homebase helps clients develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. Homebase workshops on budgeting, employment, tenant rights, and searching for apartments, among other topics, are also available.
Homelessness Prevention Resources
How to Find Help to Stay in Your Home
This handout from the NYC Department of Homeless Services outlines several City homelessness prevention services.
NYC Department of Education: Students in Temporary Housing
This page outlines the first steps to take to help youth experiencing homelessness access education. It includes a link to the housing questionnaire that is used to determine eligibility and contact information for each NYC school district. (Note that in NYC, McKinney-Vento liaisons are known as Students in Temporary Housing (STH) Regional Managers.)
NYC Coalition on the Continuum of Care (NYC CCOC)
The NYC CCOC is a broad-based coalition of homeless housing and shelter providers, consumers, advocates, and government representatives, working together to shape citywide planning and decision-making.
New York State (NYS) Resources
HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues. For more information, visit HUD: Talk to a Counselor.
NYS Housing Counselor Directory
HUD Homeless Information: New York
Here HUD connects you to help hotlines, shelters, rental assistance programs, and other supportive resources in New York State.
New York State Education Department: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
This program provides support to ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to public education, including public preschool education.
New York State McKinney-Vento Liaisons
Every school district, charter school, or BOCES must have a McKinney-Vento liaison who identifies eligible youth/children and supports their enrollment in education and related services. Look up your local liaison (outside NYC) in the directory below.