Elevating Indigenous Youth Knowledge: The Path to Homelessness Prevention

Isaac Sanders I November, 2024

In the face of a growing homelessness crisis in America, Indigenous youth find themselves disproportionately affected yet often overlooked in broader discussions and data collection efforts. I am researching and partnering with Point Source Youth (PSY) to address this knowledge gap in homelessness prevention and intervention. This survey, which collected responses from 52 Indigenous youth and young adults (YYA), sheds light on crucial strategies for preventing homelessness among Indigenous youth, emphasizing the critical role of cultural reconnection and family reunification.

The Urgency of Addressing Indigenous Youth Homelessness

Statistics show a bleak picture of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities:

American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous populations experienced an 18% increase in homelessness between 2022 and 2023, the largest percentage increase among all racial groups.
Native people experience the second-highest rate of homelessness (10%) in the U.S. despite accounting for only 1.5% of North America’s population.
Unaccompanied Indigenous youth are nearly twice as likely to be unsheltered compared to their sheltered counterparts (7% vs. 4%).

These numbers show the urgent need for a focus on the disproportionate risk of Indigenous homelessness and culturally targeted interventions to be created by Indigenous youth with lived expertise in navigating homelessness systems.

Key Findings from The Survey

Our research reveals several critical insights:

Cultural Reconnection is a huge part of the Solution: 100% of respondents rated reconnection and reunification with family and culture as either “extremely important” or “very important” in preventing Indigenous youth homelessness.
Effectiveness of Cultural Approaches: All participants viewed cultural reconnection as either “Extremely effective” or “Very effective” in reducing homelessness risk for Indigenous youth who have been homeless.
Barriers to Cultural Access: Unfortunately, the survey identified key obstacles, including limited access to traditional practices, lack of community connections, and distance from tribal lands.
Strategies for Urban Indigenous Youth: Respondents suggested various approaches, such as organizing cultural camps, providing mentorship opportunities, and offering traditional art and language classes.
Preventing Homelessness After Aging Out: Recommendations included culturally sensitive transition planning, immediate housing support, and mentorship programs with Indigenous mentors.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

The findings of this survey underscore the critical importance of cultural reconnection and family reunification in preventing homelessness among Indigenous youth, but we are not finished. We will conduct one-on-one and focus group interviews to get more in-depth qualitative data from Indigenous YYA. Initial findings show that policymakers, service providers, and communities must work together to:

Increase funding for Indigenous-led organizations providing family reunification, cultural reconnection services, and indigenous-specific shelters.
Implement family-focused approaches prioritizing Indigenous family values, kinship ties, and connection to their tribal communities.
Develop culturally sensitive policies that acknowledge historical trauma and intergenerational impacts.
Incorporate Indigenous perspectives, histories, and cultural practices into education and support programs.

By addressing barriers to cultural access, supporting urban Indigenous youth, and implementing culturally sensitive policies and programs, we can work towards more effective solutions for this pressing issue. Successful approaches must be rooted in Indigenous wisdom, traditions, and community leadership.

As we continue this vital research, we must remember that behind every statistic is a young person deserving of support, connection, and the opportunity to thrive. By centering Indigenous YYA voices and experiences, we can create a future where homelessness among Indigenous youth becomes a thing of the past.

Please consider sharing the link to signing up for our interviews with Indigenous YYA with lived experience in homelessness, and if you have any questions, please contact our study email indianyouthpreventionsurvey@gmail.com

Two-Year Direct Cash Transfer Programs

Some communities are exploring longer-term direct cash transfer programs specifically for youth experiencing homelessness. These programs typically offer:

Regular cash payments over a two-year period
Minimal restrictions on how the money can be used
Opportunities for young people to build financial stability and plan for their futures
Ongoing evaluation to assess long-term impacts on housing stability and well-being

For example, three community-based organizations in Oregon serve 120 young people with 5 months of Direct Cash Transfers, providing $1,000 monthly payments. You can read more about this program and similar programs here.

Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention (DCT-P)

Point Source Youth has launched an initiative to scale Direct Cash Transfers as Prevention (DCT-P) in multiple U.S. cities. We are the evaluation partners for this project. DCT-P offers:

One-time cash payments with no upper limit
A goal of preventing youth from entering homelessness in the first place
Services provided by local community-based organizations, such as housing navigation, financial counseling, and peer support

Early results from a similar program in Washington state showed that 93% of young people who received these one-time payments did not return to homelessness after 12 months. You can read about this program and similar programs here.

Impact and Effectiveness

Emerging research suggests that flexible cash assistance programs can have significant positive impacts on youth experiencing homelessness:

Increased Housing Stability: Programs like HPDF demonstrate high rates of housing retention.
Improved Well-being: Direct cash transfers allow young people to meet their basic needs and reduce stress.
Enhanced Autonomy: These programs promote independence and self-efficacy by trusting youth to make financial decisions.
Long-term Benefits: Extended support may lead to improved educational and employment outcomes.

After just six months of receiving direct cash transfers in some programs, 63% of youth found stable housing. These results highlight the potential of cash-based interventions to impact youth homelessness significantly.

How We Can Help You

Collaborative Strategy Development: SCP specializes in facilitating collaborative strategy development. They could help communities unite various stakeholders to create comprehensive strategies for implementing flexible cash assistance programs1.
Capacity Building: SCP offers capacity-building services. We assist communities in developing the necessary skills and infrastructure to manage and implement cash assistance programs.
Systems Thinking Approach: SCP employs a systems thinking approach to address complex social issues. This methodology could be applied to understand the broader context of youth homelessness and design cash assistance programs that address root causes.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: SCP has experience in fostering cross-sector collaboration. We help communities engage diverse partners (e.g., government agencies, young people, nonprofits, and businesses) to support and enhance cash assistance initiatives.
Data-Driven Decision Making: SCP emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making. We assist communities in setting up robust data collection and analysis systems to evaluate the effectiveness of cash assistance programs.
Change Management: Implementing new programs often requires organizational change. SCP’s expertise in change management helps communities navigate the challenges of introducing and scaling cash assistance programs
Policy Advocacy: While not explicitly mentioned on their website, SCP’s focus on systems change suggests they could potentially support communities in advocating for policy changes that facilitate the implementation of flexible cash assistance programs
Knowledge Sharing: SCP facilitates knowledge sharing between communities, helping to disseminate best practices and lessons learned in implementing cash assistance programs
Stakeholder Engagement: SCP’s skills in stakeholder engagement is valuable in ensuring that the voices of youth experiencing homelessness are centered in program design and implementation
Sustainable Implementation: SCP’s approach to creating lasting change helps communities develop sustainable models for flexible cash assistance programs that can be maintained and scaled over time

As communities grapple with youth homelessness, flexible cash assistance programs offer promising solutions. By providing direct financial support and trusting young people to make their own decisions, these interventions have the potential to break the cycle of homelessness and set youth on a path to stable, independent adulthood.

– Isaac Sanders