The Reality of Youth Homelessness

Why the Slogan: "Homelessness Doesn’t Have One Face, One Story, or One Place"?

When people think of homelessness, they may picture someone sleeping on a city sidewalk or in an encampment. But for young people, homelessness often looks different and goes unnoticed.

Many young people facing housing instability are couch-surfing, staying in cars, or finding temporary spaces that may feel safe for a night but offer no stability. This increases their chances of reentering homelessness later in life, even after securing stable housing.
 
So, why does youth homelessness go unseen? Many young people avoid shelters or formal systems, fearing they’ll be returned to unsafe environments. Instead, they seek refuge wherever they can, often staying under the radar.
 
It’s a powerful reminder that homelessness doesn’t have one face, one story, or one place. Every young person’s journey is different; some flee unsafe homes, others age out of foster care, and many face financial struggles with nowhere to turn.
 
For Sleep Out 2025, we’ll gather at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center—a tranquil space surrounded by nature yet overlooking downtown Columbus. While it may seem remote, like many other places such as street nooks, friends' living rooms, or a freeway underpass, it is not untouched by homelessness.
 
Sleep Out is a space for people to come together, acknowledge these diverse experiences, raise awareness, and take action. No young person should face homelessness alone.