In the 2020-2021 school year, more than 93,000 Texas students were identified as homeless, and nearly 15% of those are without a parent or guardian. Housing instability can have significant effects on the lives of young people and compromise their ability to make a transition to a successful adulthood. Homelessness doesn’t just affect youth who find themselves without homes, it also has broader implications for the communities in which they live because of the impact on the criminal justice systems, education, and other key institutions.
The resources below can help better understand the unique needs of homeless young people and provide guidance on how to best serve them. Please navigate to resources based on the following topics:
Understanding Youth Homelessness
Resources for Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
Resources and Information for Service Providers
Youth Homelessness Training Resources
Understanding Youth Homelessness
Young, Alone and Homeless in the Lone Star State
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services and Texas Appleseed
This 2017 joint report produced by TNOYS and Texas Appleseed is the most comprehensive study to date of youth homelessness in Texas. Its key finding is that the lack of a cohesive policy and funding approach to address the problem of youth homelessness in Texas has resulted in high levels of youth who are homeless and poor outcomes for these young people. The report’s findings reveal that youth homelessness doesn’t just affect youth who find themselves without homes, it also has broader implications for the communities in which they live because of the impact on criminal justice, education, and other key institutions. In addition to these findings, the report shares recommendations on policies that can better support the state’s service providers who are working to address youth homelessness, and the young people they serve.
Defining Youth Homelessness
Source: National Network for Youth
In order to prevent and address youth homelessness, we must first be able to define it. National Network for Youth (NN4Y) explains the varied definitions of youth homelessness across federal programs and agencies, how these definitions impact both data reporting and who is eligible for crucial services and supports, and why it is important to establish a consistent, broadened definition of youth homelessness across programs and agencies to ensure young people are recognized and prioritized.
About Runaway and Homeless Youth
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Family & Youth Services Bureau, National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families
Runaway and Homeless youth (RHY) populations are often misunderstood. The Family and Youth Services Bureau provides funding and technical assistance to youth-serving organizations to best support this population in their transition to adulthood. This web page provides a clear and succinct overview of RHY, including key statistics, risk factors, vulnerabilities, and needs, and guidance and opportunities for support. Finally, the RHY clearinghouse includes a series of issue briefs to enhance your understanding of the RHY population and the issues that affect them.
Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America National Estimates
Source: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
This 2017 report captures extensive data on, and the real life experiences of, young people experiencing homelessness across the US. In addition to a landscape analysis of youth homelessness across the country, the report analyzes the impacts of housing instability on a youth’s opportunities for success, and encompasses a broad understanding of homelessness including couch surfing, sleeping in the streets, residing in shelters, and fleeing home environments. View the high-level findings here or view the full report here.
At the Intersections: Collaborative Report on LGBTQ Homelessness
Source: True Colors United
In 2016, True Colors United and the National LGBTQ Task Force released a comprehensive and collaborative report on why and how homelessness disproportionately impacts LGBTQ young people. Three years later, in 2019, True Colors United revealed this report to understand what has changed in our understanding surrounding LGBTQ homlessness.
Resources for Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
National Runaway Safeline
Source: The National Runaway Safeline
The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is a free, 24/7/365 crisis hotline for youth in crisis, at risk of running away or experiencing homelessness, or currently runaway or experiencing homelessness. NRS provides crisis intervention, information and referrals, counseling, advocacy, and transportation services for youth and their families. To access support, visit the NRS website, call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929), or text 66008.
Transition-Age Youth (TAY) Life Skills Study Guides
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
From 2020 through 2021, TNOYS partnered with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission to update the Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Independent Living Study Guides, which assist older youth and young adults in foster care with the transition to adulthood.
TNOYS worked with and listened to the Young Adult Leadership Council, systems-involved youth, and staff with lived experience to make the guides more youth-friendly and relevant to today’s young people transitioning into adulthood. The new Transition-Age Youth (TAY) Life Skills Study Guides incorporate additional homelessness and other specialty resources to help improve outcomes for a wide range of systems-involved youth. Check out the guides here, and consider using them yourself or with the youth that you serve.
UNDERSTANDING YOUTH RIGHTS: Helping Providers Navigate the Laws and Policies Affecting Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
This guide helps youth services providers navigate the often confusing laws that apply to homeless or unaccompanied youth, in order to better serve this vulnerable population. Guidance is provided on state and federal laws around issues such as emergency shelter/housing, emancipation, public education, medical treatment, and state and federal benefits. Each section of the guide contains answers to the most frequently asked questions related to each subject and offers general guidelines for most situations. The first three chapters focus on how providers can empower youth voice, help youth understand their rights and responsibilities, and appreciate and understand the cultural diversity among youth experiencing homelessness.
Minor Access to Medical Care Consent Form
Source: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
The legal issues that can arise when homeless and unaccompanied minors attempt to access housing, education, and medical care can be confusing. Many may not realize that an unaccompanied minor has a right to consent to medical care without permission from a parent or guardian. This form created by Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid is intended to help minors give consent to access medical care. The document includes both a blank form and a sample form filled out to give an idea of the kind of information that should be included.
Certification of Homeless Status for Texas Birth Certificate, Texas Identification Card, and Driver’s License
Source: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid-Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
Many homeless youth and young adults struggle to obtain their Texas birth certificates and Texas Department of Public Safety issued Texas ID cards and driver’s licenses. Without these documents, youth are not able to function fully in our society and will encounter barriers to employment, housing, education, travel and more. Texas law makes it easier for homeless youth and young adults to obtain these critical documents. Fees for the birth certificate, ID Card and driver’s licenses are also waived.
To be eligible to use these new procedures, youth experiencing homelessness must be certified as homeless defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Youth can be certified by the designated district liaison with the school district where the youth is enrolled, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the director of a basic center for runaway and homeless youth, or the director of a transitional living program. Download a certification form here.
Please review this document for detailed guidance on how homeless youth can obtain their Texas birth certificate, ID and license. To view a Spanish Language version of this document, please click here.
For more information, please review the fact sheets below:
How to Avoid Predatory Lease Agreements
Source: iPropertyManagement
Youth and young adults facing housing instability often find themselves in urgent need of housing. Those who are in this situation can be vulnerable to signing leases without a complete understanding of the commitment involved. This resource was developed to assist individuals in safely navigating lease agreements and avoiding potential exploitation. It offers a comprehensive explanation of common rental contract terminology along with warning signs to watch out for.
Resources and Information for Service Providers
National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families (NCHYF)
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Family & Youth Services Bureau
The National Clearinghouse on Homeless Youth and Families (NCHYF) provides support and resources for runaway homeless youth and their families. NCHYF also offers education to service providers and the general public on the important and often misunderstood issue of runaway and homeless youth.
Runaway and Homeless Youth Training & Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC)
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Family & Youth Services Bureau
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Training & Technical Assistance Center offers a variety of educational resources and supports to FYSB grantees in order to effectively serve runaway and homeless youth. The RHYTTAC includes information on funding opportunities, training resources like webinars and upcoming events, relevant research and guides, and technical assistance resources. RHYTTAC is responsible for public awareness and resource development activities, policy development and system engagement, direct training and technical assistance, and much more.
All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness
Source: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
In December 2022, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released their federal strategic plan to end homelessness across the United States. Based on input from 19 collective federal agency council members, the plan provides a detailed and actionable roadmap to address the rising issue of homelessness in the US. See also, “USICH’s Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness: A coordinated Community Response,” below.
Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness: A Coordinated Community Response
Source: United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
In addition to the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, USICH developed a specific strategic plan to address youth homelessness in the US. To inform this plan, TNOYS partnered with USICH in October 2021 to hear from YYA and providers to better understand and center the needs of young people experiencing homelessness. TNOYS hosted listening sessions with youth and young adults (YYA) and with providers in its member network to solicit input. Learn more about emergent themes from these listening sessions in TNOYS’ USICH listening sessions report.
Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program
Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)
All Texas public schools,charter schools, and education services centers must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program carries out the duties in the McKinney-Vento Act by addressing the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness and ensuring their educational rights and protections. The TEHCY web page provides valuable resources, data, and requirements related to identifying and supporting this student population.
For three years, from 2020 through 2022, TNOYS partnered with Texas Education Agency (TEA) to host the Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Summit, bringing together over 1,000 education professionals from across Texas each year to network, build skills, and explore best practices to support students experiencing homelessness. Learn more about the 2022 TEHCY Program Summit.
Improving Equity in Shelters for Texas’ Transgender Youth
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
This blog post, authored by Alex Polk, aims to educate the youth-services community on the challenges that transgender youth face when seeking shelter and services, and to provide guidance on concrete steps providers can take to support these youth. A follow-up to his previous piece on supporting LGBTQ youth, Alex draws from his own experience as an advocate, as well as from conversations with other youth who identify as transgender and have lived experiences with homelessness, to inform this blog post.
HOME and Homelessness Programs
Source: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) manages multiple programs that provide funding to support individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Potentially relevant opportunities include: HOME Investment and Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and the Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP).
Section 811 Rental Assistance Program
Source: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) details the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The PRA program provides services and supports to extremely low-income individuals with disabilities, including youth with disabilities in the foster care system. Visit the website to learn more about eligibility requirements, property participation by city, and additional housing resources.
Understanding Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC)
Source: Texas Homeless Network (THN)
A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a collaborative approach to planning and funding for services related to homelessness. The Texas Balance of State CoC (TX BoS CoC) is made up of all service providers, advocates, local government officials, and citizens who work to eliminate homelessness. Texas Homeless Network (THN) highlights this collaborative approach for services related to homelessness across Texas.
Host Home Toolkit
Source: Texas Appleseed
Host home programs are an innovative way to help address homelessness among young people by tapping into the personal networks they have already built. This toolkit contains materials that can provide guidance to host home families and organizations looking to establish host home programs.
Current and Past Projects
Listening and Learning from Youth, Young Adults, and Providers on Preventing and Ending Youth Homelessness
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
In October 2021, TNOYS teamed up with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to hear from youth, young adults, and providers to better understand and center the needs of young people experiencing homelessness. At two listening sessions, over 60 youth, young adults, and services providers shared valuable input that will inform USICH’s new federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness.
TNOYS Previous Legislative Sessions
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
TNOYS advocates for funding, policies, and programs that benefit youth who are struggling, their families, and the organizations that serve them. Visit our Past Legislative Sessions page to review past legislative session recaps, agendas, fact sheets, and testimonies related to TNOYS policy priorities over the years. Visit TNOYS’ Policy Advocacy page to view our latest policy priorities and resources.
Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness: Insights from a Survey of Homeless Liaisons in Texas Public Schools
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
In 2016, TNOYS conducted a statewide survey of homeless liaisons in Texas public schools, who are tasked with identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness. The purpose of this policy brief is to share findings from TNOYS’ survey and offer insight into how Texas can best support these homeless liaisons as they work to ensure that legal protections for homeless students are met. The survey reveals that homeless liaisons face many challenges, including competing demands on their time and difficulty identifying homeless students. Based on these findings, the report offers policy recommendations on how to better support these liaisons and the youth they serve who are experiencing homelessness in Texas.
Youth Homelessness in Texas: A report to fulfill the requirements of House Bill 679
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services and Youth Count Texas!
In 2015, the Texas Legislature mandated through House Bill 679 that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) produce a study of homeless youth in Texas. TDHCA contracted with TNOYS and the University of Houston to produce this report, which was delivered to the Texas Legislature in December 2016. List of the surveys and studies taken for the Youth Count listed here.
The report includes information on the number of homeless youth in the state, their needs, services available to support them, and funding sources dedicated to those services. It is based on data gathered from the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and original data collected from 750+ homeless youth through the Youth Count! Texas study carried out by TNOYS and community partners across the state.
The Youth Count Texas! Project: Process Evaluation Report
Source: Youth Count Texas! and Texas Network of Youth Services
In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a bill mandating the first- ever statewide count and survey of homeless youth in Texas. TNOYS was contracted to develop and implement the survey in collaboration with local communities across the state.
TNOYS produced this report to share lessons learned in the process of carrying out this groundbreaking effort. The findings and recommendations in this report can inform future counts of youth experiencing homelessness and provide insight into efforts to support this vulnerable population.
Click here to see the YCT! Process Evaluation report Appendix (survey tool) referenced in the report.
Youth Count Texas Toolkit
Source: Youth Count Texas! And Texas Network of Youth Services
The official Youth Count Texas! Toolkit was prepared to help communities participate in the first-ever statewide count of youth experiencing homelessness in Texas. In the toolkit, you will find resources on how you can host a youth count in your community. It includes surveys, training materials, information on best practices, debriefing materials, and more!
Youth Homelessness Training Resources
TNOYS Training and Technical Assistance Resources
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
TNOYS provides high-quality training and technical assistance to youth services professionals through regularly scheduled trainings open to all, at TNOYS’ Annual Conference on Services to Youth and Families each summer, and by request through a fee-for-service model. Visit TNOYS’ T&TA web page to learn more about available training and TA offerings, browse our training curricula, or request a training or speaking engagement through the online request form. To view and register for upcoming training opportunities, visit TNOYS’ Upcoming Events web page. We also encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest opportunities and events.
TNOYS’ Member Portal
Source: Texas Network of Youth Services
TNOYS’ online member portal provides exclusive access to hundreds of hours of webinar recordings for learning and CEUs, up to date resources and guidance materials, the latest information on funding and support, and online forums for collaboration and information-sharing. TNOYS’ member portal is restricted to organizational and individual TNOYS members. Learn more and become a member today!
TNOYS provides this directory as a resource to help identify providers across Texas who offer youth and family services. You can browse listings in the directory according to region or the type of service you are looking for, or click to view the full list.
The list of providers in this directory is not comprehensive but includes organizations that are likely to accept community walk-ins. While some organizations listed are TNOYS members, membership is not a requirement to be included in the directory. If you are a provider with a program that you would like to have added to the directory, please contact us at info@tnoys.org.
Click here to view TNOYS’ Service Directory.