CTAHR NEWS

STREET YOUTH

  • 14 February 2018
  • Author: Frederika Bain
  • Number of views: 7178
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STREET YOUTH

COF, in partnership with Waikiki Health and Hale Kipa, just released the first comprehensive research study on homeless and runaway youth in Hawai‘i since the 1980s. The study offers a detailed snapshot of homeless and unaccompanied youth on O‘ahu, allowing for a better understanding of this population’s experiences, risk factors, well-being, and service needs. Research shows that youth aged 12–17 are at higher risk than adults of becoming homeless, while older youth between 18 and 24, considered transition-aged youth, are one of the fastest-growing homeless populations. Some troubling findings include these: almost half of those surveyed were Hawaiian or part Hawaiian, nearly a fifth identified as LGBTQ, almost half had their first homeless experience with their families, about a quarter described their health as “fair” or “poor,” and more than half had attempted suicide. This report should help service providers and policymakers to be able to better help this underserved and at-risk population. Read the full report here and the summary report here.

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