Corey Outlaw 
Did you know that November is the month of Youth Homelessness Awareness? This year, True Star is taking a stand for the thousands of young people struggling with homelessness. To truly get an in-depth perspective on youth homelessness and its aligned issues, True Star spoke to M. Nelson, Manager of City Policy for the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness.
The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, also known as CCH, is an organization dedicated to working with young people between the ages of 14-24 years old, providing various resources to help those afflicted with the burden of homelessness. “We are a grassroots organizing and policy entity that works primarily with people with lived experience of homelessness to do policy advocacy, to end homelessness,” said Nelson.
Homelessness is more than just living on the streets. According to Nelson, homelessness is “when an individual or a family does not have a fixed, adequate and stable residence.”
Approximately 17,773 Chicago youth are homeless. — CCH 2024 Estimate Report
The definition of “fixed,” “adequate,” and “stable” can vary from one individual or family to the next. Nelson explained that young people who are experiencing homelessness aren’t always sleeping outside, in an emergency shelter, or in another place not meant for human habituation. He added, “It also means they might be couch surfing. They might be doubled up, which means that they’re living in a place that’s overcrowded.”
According to the 2024 Estimate of People Experiencing Homelessness in Chicago, IL report compiled by CCH, approximately 17,773 Chicago youth are homeless. Of that number, 16,036 are believed to temporarily stay with others (family, friends, or even strangers), and 1,453 stay in shelters or on the street.
Homelessness is not just a singular, stand-alone issue. It is interwoven into a web of many different systemic issues including racism and economic disparity. To begin to come to a conclusion on how we can address homelessness, we must understand that as a society, we make the choices that contribute to the system that is in place.
Be on the lookout for more article on this topic during the month.
By Corey Outlaw, Freshman, University of Illinois Chicago
Our Voice, Activated! is a call to action for all of us to stand with Chicago’s youth. When you invest in True Star, you are directly supporting young people in finding their voice, building their confidence, and learning how to use their creativity as a tool for impact and opportunity. Activate your voice by donating today.
