Comparison between homelessness in New York & Chicago

Chicago

New York
Approximately 58,906 homeless
people.
Youth make up about 20,000 of
this number.
Out of this 20,000, 39% are
under the age 18 and 42% are
under the age 5.
Safe Horizons Streetwork
Project
Covenant House (Medical,
support, education, programs)
Rights of Passage (youth learn
how to become independent).

Connection
between
homosexuality
and homelessness
in youth.
Community
Shelters and
Outreach
programs
Health Care
HUD
Advocacy

In 2014, roughly 138,575 people

were homeless.
Youth make up about 22,144,
nearly 2,647 are unaccompanied
youth.
Chicago Coalition for the
Homeless (CCH), Partnered with
over 120 service programs.
House Bill 4501(allows minors to
consent to own medical care).
Chicagos Plan 2.0
No Youth Alone (helps
unaccompanied youth).
Immediate Housing Assistance

The statistics for both of these cities is overwhelming. I knew that there was a high rate of homelessness, but it is mind blowing when it is seen as a
number statistic. I was surprised to see a high majority of youth being homeless, especially ones that are unaccompanied by an adult. Approximately,
40% of homeless youth are throw out of their homes based on their sexuality. I was also shocked to see that children who have been in foster care are
at greater risk of becoming homeless at an earlier age (Safe Horizon, 2014). This add to the majority of children who are physically, mentally, or
sexually abused.
Two programs that I see being beneficial to homeless youth is the No Youth Alone in Chicago, and the Covenant House in New York. The No Youth
Alone program helps thousands of youth cope with being homeless. No Youth Alone also mobilizes youth and youth providers to advocate for state

and city resources. The city of Chicago reallocated $2 million a year to increased shelter and drop-in programs (Chicago Coalition for the Homeless,
2014, para 5). The Covenant House in New York is a wonderful program that assists homeless youth as soon as they enter the building. Their
supports include Crisis Center, Community Centers, Street Outreach, Transitional Housing Program, Health Services, Mental Health Services,
Mother & Child Programs, Regional Training Centers, Pastoral Ministry, Substance Abuse Services, and Vocational Training Institute (Covenant
House, 2014). I believe that there needs to be programs that fight for funding and ensure that the money is going to the proper programs. There also
need to be a place where people can turn where there are an array of services provided. The Covenant House is an excellent place that provides all
different types of programs and supports.

References
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. (2014). No youth alone. Retrieved from http://www.chicagohomeless.org/programs-campaigns/advocacypublic-policy/no-youth-alone/
Covenant House. (2014). Helping homeless kids in New York. Retrieved from http://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-charity/new-york
Safe Horizon. (2014). Homeless youth statistics & facts. Retrieved from http://www.safehorizon.org/page/streetwork-homeless-youth-facts-69.html