

Resources
We Can Reduce Adult Homelessness by Focusing on Youth
Oregon has the 3rd highest rate of youth homelessness in the nation, a crisis heightened by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many young people and their families are struggling, with some living in cars or RVs, facing the risk of losing their only shelter. Nationwide, youth with unstable home lives make up the majority of those experiencing homelessness—10% of all children under 18 in the U.S. are homeless.
Youth homelessness is a critical issue, as it often leads to a cycle of instability that can persist into adulthood. In fact, 74% of homeless adults were once homeless as youth, making childhood homelessness the number one predictor of long-term adult homelessness.
Research consistently shows that early intervention and comprehensive support systems are essential to breaking this cycle. By addressing the root causes of youth homelessness, we can help prevent long-term hardship and build a stronger future for young people. The Alliance4Kids is committed to increasing resources and providing critical support for children and families in Oregon, with a focus on preventing homelessness before it starts and offering immediate assistance to those in need.
Governor Kotek's Proposal for 2025 Homeless Youth Programs
Governor Tina Kotek released her 2025-27 Agency Budget Request for the Oregon Department of Human Services. The Legislature will use this as a starting point for its budget process beginning in January 2025.
Governor Kotek has asked that budget proposals falling outside her three priority areas – strengthening Oregon’s education and early learning systems, ensuring people in Oregon can access behavioral health care, and addressing the state’s housing and homelessness crisis – remain within a 1% growth cap over agencies’ current resources.
ODHS is asking for investments including:
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$7.2 million to assess and strengthen Oregon’s systems for
preventing youth homelessness and increasing young people’s
long-term housing stability.
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$19.9 million to sustain and expand ODHS’ Youth
Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP), ensuring young
people living in communities around the state can access needed supports to end the cycle of homelessness and move toward permanent housing stability.
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$7.8 million to improve access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for eligible youth leaving foster care.
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$10 million General Fund policy package to reduce
barriers to home- and community-based supports for people with mental health or substance use conditions who are served through ODHS Aging and People with Disabilities.

Expensive Housing Hurts Oregon's Efforts to Serve Unhoused Youth
Oregon has one of the highest housing costs in the US, leading to the State Index on Youth Homelessness scoring the state as "fair" in its current legislative efforts to address the issue.

Flavored Nicotine Pose "Critical" Clinical Challenge
"Public health authorities in Oregon and across the U.S. have battled tobacco use for decades, and the percentage of adults and young people who smoke has dropped in the past 20 years.
But flavored e-cigarettes threaten to reverse that trend, a recently published review indicates."

Resources for Oregon Youth
Oregon Department of Human Services' Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program is working to end youth homelessness across the state.
Its resources for youth include information about:
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Youth shelters and hotlines
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Regional service providers
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Tuition and fee waivers
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Food resources and SNAP benefits
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Transition services for youth in foster care
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Health insurance for former foster youth, and
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Free birth certificates.
