City adds beds, services for homeless youth
In response to a rapid increase in youth homelessness, Philadelphia announced Tuesday that it will dedicate $700,000 to pay for additional beds, job training, and employment and counseling support targeting people 18 to 24.
In response to a rapid increase in youth homelessness, Philadelphia announced Tuesday that it will dedicate $700,000 to pay for additional beds, job training, and employment and counseling support targeting people 18 to 24.
"We are here to tell our most vulnerable young people, our children, our youth, that they matter, that we care, that we are there for them," said Councilwoman Helen Gym, who with Council colleagues and Mayor Kenney's administration secured the new funding. "They won't face their challenges alone. We'll be standing up as a city with them."
At last count, 527 unaccompanied young adults lived in emergency or transitional housing in the city, and a point-in-time count found 25 sleeping on the streets. Those who track youth homelessness say the number of young people with "unstable housing" is much higher, likely 4,000 to 6,000.
In the last four years, the number of high school students in Philadelphia who have experienced homelessness has increased 73 percent. That works out to one of every 20 high school students in the city.
Last year, 252 young adults aged out of the foster care system, many without a permanent place to live.
The $700,000 contract will go toward 50 new beds, job training, and employment support for 75 homeless youth, and counseling and mentoring for 40 LGBTQ youth.
Most of the money comes out of the city's general fund, with some additional dollars from the Office of Homeless Services' budget.
Five private providers were contracted to expand services and shelter: the Attic Youth Center, Covenant House PA, Pathways PA, Valley Youth House, and Youth Service Inc.
Donald Jackson, 23, was kicked out of his home by his mother when he was 18.
Jackson couch-surfed for a few months before landing at Covenant House, a shelter for young adults. He was lucky. The shelter turns away more than 500 people each year because of lack of space.
Jackson worked two jobs to get himself back on his feet.
Now he has his own apartment and works at Action Wellness, a nonprofit helping people living with chronic illness.
"Not everyone is fortunate enough to handle responsibilities, bills, the things an 18-year-old, a 21-year-old even, usually has people to help them deal with," Jackson said. "It's so important to provide that underlying support. At 18 you're trying to figure out your life, and then even at 21 - who's responsible at 21?"
215-854-5506
@juliaterruso