Surveying Homeless and Unstably Housed Youth: Methodological Considerations When Estimating the Prevalence and Characteristics of the Population (Research Note)

Abstract

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has called for ending youth homelessness by 2020, a goal that requires accurate data on the scope and characteristics of youth experiencing homelessness. This research note describes the methodology and results of a collaborative survey conducted by 30 community-based organizations to estimate and describe youth experiencing homeless. Data were collected from 558 youth. Approximately 23% of youth were homeless or unstably housed the night before the count; an additional 15% reported being homeless in the month before the count. Characteristics of youth experiencing homelessness are described, and comparisons are made between homeless and nonhomeless youth. Strengths and limitations of the methodology are discussed in light of their implications for sampling and data collection with vulnerable and difficult-to-access populations.