This report presents data from a survey of nearly 400 transition age youth experiencing, ages 18 to 25 years old, housing instability in Los Angeles County, with an emphasis on youth with foster care involvement. This report should be of interest to entities serving transition age youth experiencing homelessness and those involved with the foster care system.

Understanding the Needs of Transition Age Youth Navigating the Foster Care and Housing Systems in Los Angeles County

Sarah B. Hunter, Joan S. Tucker, Jason M. Ward, Rick Garvey

ResearchPublished Aug 13, 2024

Although substantial investments have been made to address homelessness in Los Angeles County, the number of people experiencing homelessness has continued to grow over the past decade. Transition age youth, ages 18 to 25 years old, represent an important population of focus because resolving homelessness at an early age may prevent chronic homelessness and the consequences of living unsheltered, such as earlier mortality and increased morbidity. This report presents data from a survey of nearly 400 transition age youth experiencing housing instability in Los Angeles County, with an emphasis on youth with foster care (FC) involvement. The FC system puts an individual at greater risk of experiencing homelessness. More than a decade ago, California invested in additional supports for youth in the FC system up to the age of 21; however, little is known about how youth experiencing housing instability in Los Angeles County interface with such programs. This report should be of interest to entities serving transition age youth experiencing homelessness and those involved with the FC system, including government, social service and health care organizations, educators, employers, practitioners, advocacy groups, researchers, and others interested in addressing the homelessness crisis.

Key Findings

The sample group reported significant barriers to successfully transitioning to adulthood

  • Respondents noted a lack of education and employment, with more than one-quarter having less than a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Health issues were a reported concern, with 57 percent reporting a serious mental health disorder and 20 percent reporting overall health as "fair" or "poor."
  • Respondents also reported a lack of income, with the median monthly income of $450.
  • Justice involvement was also a barrier, with close to one-third reporting jail or probation experience as an adult and one-fifth reporting experience with juvenile justice.

More than one-third of the sample group reported FC involvement and faced further challenges

  • A high rate of early parenting, with one-quarter having children, suggests a high need for parenthood supports.
  • Low rates of obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent accomplishment suggests a strong association between lower educational obtainment and homelessness.
  • Poorer outcomes for FC-involved youth, regardless of the number of placements while in the FC system, were reported.
  • Poorer outcomes for FC-involved youth were also reported regardless of more-positive (e.g., family reunification, adoption, and legal guardianship) or more-negative outcomes when exiting the FC system.

Despite these housing barriers, the sample group expressed desires regarding housing and education

  • More than 95 percent of survey respondents expressed interest in becoming housed.
  • More than 60 percent were not in school but planned to attend.
  • Nearly one-half were unemployed but actively looking for work.
  • Several housing options, including shared housing, were perceived as acceptable.

Recommendations

  • Connecting youth to traditional approaches to increasing stability and income will help to promote successful transitions to adulthood.
  • Improved cross-sector engagement between the child welfare, education, employment, justice, mental health, and the homeless service system can help transition age youth experiencing homelessness (TAYEH) better access the resources they are eligible to receive.
  • Better connections between the systems of care should be streamlined to provide child welfare, justice, mental health, housing, education, and employment services.
  • Shared housing, which may be more feasible and cost-effective, should be endorsed as an acceptable housing option for TAYEH.
  • Family planning, parenting support, and family housing should all be incorporated into programs that address the needs of TAYEH.

Topics

Document Details

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Hunter, Sarah B., Joan S. Tucker, Jason M. Ward, and Rick Garvey, Understanding the Needs of Transition Age Youth Navigating the Foster Care and Housing Systems in Los Angeles County, RAND Corporation, RR-A3310-1, 2024. As of September 11, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3310-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Hunter, Sarah B., Joan S. Tucker, Jason M. Ward, and Rick Garvey, Understanding the Needs of Transition Age Youth Navigating the Foster Care and Housing Systems in Los Angeles County. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3310-1.html.
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This research was sponsored by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and conducted in the Community Health and Environmental Policy Program within RAND Social and Economic Well-Being.

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