What are some unique challenges that unattached or unaccompanied youth face?
An unattached or unaccompanied youth is a youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This definition would include youth living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing. The term also includes children and youth denied housing by their families (also known as “throwaway” children and youth) and school-age unwed mothers who are living in homes for unwed mothers because they cannot or are not allowed to live with their families or guardians and have no other available housing. A 1995 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services report indicated that over 50% of unattached youth interviewed during shelter stays reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving and did not care. A 1997 study by the same agency reported that 46% of runaway and homeless youth had been physically abused, and 17% had been sexually abused. Homeless unaccompanied youth often face unique barriers to school enr
