Youth homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head, it’s about being left behind. I’ve been there. Alone, scared, trying to survive in a world that doesn’t see you unless you’re causing a problem. 

For many young people, homelessness doesn’t start with the streets, it starts with breakdowns at home, trauma, abuse, or falling through the cracks in care.

When you’re young and homeless, you’re invisible. People assume you’ve made bad choices, but the truth is, those choices were often made for you. 

Sleeping on sofas, in hostels, or in parks isn’t living, it’s surviving. And the longer you’re out there, the more dangerous it becomes.

One of the biggest risks facing homeless youth today is exploitation through county lines. These are drug networks that target vulnerable young people, offering them quick money, a sense of belonging, and false promises. 

But it’s a trap. Once you’re in, it’s hard to get out. You’re used, abused, and discarded when you’re no longer useful. It’s not just drugs, it’s control, fear, and violence.

Young people without support networks are easy targets. If no one’s looking out for you, the wrong people will step in. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. Some of us get out, but many don’t. 

The trauma runs deep, and it takes more than a bed for the night to heal those wounds.

That’s why education, awareness, and early intervention matter. We need services that listen, that believe, and that act before it’s too late. And we need to stop blaming young people for systems that have failed them.

Homelessness isn’t just about housing, it’s about belonging. It’s about being seen, heard, and supported. Every young person deserves a chance, not just to survive, but to thrive.

Let’s challenge the stereotypes. Let’s shine a light on the dangers young people face. And let’s work together to end youth homelessness from the inside out.