CHICAGO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- One in 10 young adults aged 18-25 and at least one in 30 adolescents aged 13-17 in the U.S. experience some form of homelessness in the course of one year, a study of the University of Chicago (UChicago) found.
The study captures youth homelessness broadly, including sleeping on the streets, in shelters, running away and couch surfing.
Researchers at UChicago surveyed 26,161 people, and found that certain populations, specifically African-American and Hispanic youths; young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender; young parents; and those who have not completed high school, are more likely to experience homelessness than their peers.
Overall, of households with 13- to 17-year-olds surveyed, there is a 4.3-percent prevalence rate for homelessness, which is a minimum of 700,000 adolescent minors, or one in 30 of the total population of 13- to 17-year-olds. Among 18- to 25-year-olds, the prevalence climbs to 9.7 percent, which are about 3.5 million or one in 10 young adults.
The study also shows that young people living in rural and urban communities experience homelessness at similar rates. In predominantly rural counties, 9.2 percent of young adults reported homelessness, while in predominantly urban counties, the prevalence rate was 9.6 percent. Household prevalence of any homelessness among adolescents aged 13-17 was 4.4 percent in predominantly rural counties and 4.2 percent in urban counties.
Prevention and early intervention are essential, researchers hold. "We have a collective obligation to ensure all young people have a chance to succeed, starting from a young age," said Bryan Samuels, executive director of Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.
