Youth Homelessness: Major Contributors, Consequences, And Prevention Measures HHomelessness among young adults and adolescents has been increasing at an alarming rate and is becoming a rather significant social concern (Toro, Dworsky and Fowler, 2007). In fact, as Karabanow (2008) states, about 25% of the entire population comprises of homeless youth. In this context, homeless youth are described as persons under the age of 24 who do not have a permanent place of residence or are not in a position to secure a safe living environment with a guardian or relative. The period of homelessness is not specific. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (2015) states that those who sleep in the streets for a period of six months or more average at 50,000; and a total of 550,000 young adults under the age of 24 are homeless for over a week long period - 380000 of these are under the age of 18. This annotated bibliography examines the major contributors to youth homelessness, their consequences, and determines the intervention and prevention programs that have been put in place in order to curb this social concern.

Annotated Bibliography

Eberle, M., Kraus, D., Serge, L., & Hulchanski, D. (2001). Homelessness: Causes & Effects. The Relationship between Homelessness and the Health, Social Services and Criminal Justice Systems. Vol. (1) 1-45. Retrieved 13 February 2015 from http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/pub/Vol1.pdf

This team of researchers and consultants reviewed literature from the U.S. And Canada, and presented findings on what is said about the relationship between health and homelessness and between criminal justice systems and social services. The article will help in providing insight on how social services and criminal justice systems contribute to youth homelessness and how it affects the health of these youth.

Karabanow, J. (2008). Being Young and Homeless: Understanding...

New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.
Karabanow interacts with a number of homeless youth in different landscapes in order to find out their experiences. He also investigated the inner workings of street youth organizations. The book will come in handy as I explain why some youth run away from their homes and the help they require in order to help them face adversities.

KrydeR-Coe, J.E., Salamon, L.M. & Molnar, J.M. (1991). Homeless Children and Youth: A New American Dilemma. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers

This book is one of the first to address youth homelessness as social concern and it is based on literature that was presented in the first conference to address homeless children as a national tragedy in 1989 in Washington DC. It will help in identifying how young people become homeless and will help me point out the reforms necessary in prevention and intervention programs.

MacNamara, R.H. (2008). Homelessness in America Vol.1, 2&3. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers

MacNamara has been interested in homelessness for a large part of his life; since he once had a personal experience, which led to his intellectual fascination with the topic. He therefore uses various articles from his book that draw from numerous experts, who shared their knowledge with him. The article will be useful in explaining the real nature of youth homelessness, the experiences of the homeless and how suitable the solutions that are available are.

Sanabria, J. (2008). Goal Development and Attainment in Homeless Youth: A Grounded Theory. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC

Sanabria conducted a study in which case he used a competence focused approach to investigate the specific processes that are involved in the development and achievement of goals among homeless youth. This book will be helpful as I present…