Intersecting vulnerabilities and homelessness in young people

Homelessness is a growing global problem. In 2024, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the EU estimated that more than two million people were experiencing homelessness across the 38 member countries.¹ Notably, youths consistently make up a large share. OECD and EU reports indicate that youths account for 35% of people experiencing homelessness in the Netherlands, 31% in Australia, and 28% in Denmark.² In North America, Canada reports that 18% of people experiencing homelessness are younger than 24 years,³ and the USA reports 27%, with a 10% increase between 2023 and 2024.⁴ Although these statistics highlight the magnitude of the crisis, they also point to a deeper need to examine the structural drivers and personal experiences that push young people into such precarious situations.