There is often a distinction between child, adolescence, and youth homelessness. Minors often have a different status to individuals over the age of 18 which can lead to differences regarding homelessness: in access to services (priority treatment), in legal entitlements, in performing basic tasks such as signing a lease or a work contract.
Children in homeless families
Children in homeless families are not often found on the streets but rather in the forms of temporary shelter. Although an alarming number of children in homeless families find themselves spending long periods in temporary shelters, this leads to shorter periods of rooflessness.
Homeless adolescents.
Homeless adolescents tend to be referred to as “ the street’s youth that often moves from one living situation to another”. Such teens are often hidden, staying with friends or acquaintances for short periods or alternating between that and living on the streets. However, there aren’t many cases of such adolescents in the EU since they are considered a priority in most countries.
Runaway and throwaway youths.
Runaway youths often end up in child support facilities and are at high risk of ending up in the streets. Such individuals tend to experience temporary or episodic homelessness, returning to their families intermittently. Throwaway youths are the opposite of runaways and tend to stay homeless for a much longer time, usually followed by a chronic cycle of rooflessness.
Children in or leaving institutions (medical care institutions, foster care, etc.)
These children are perceived as being at a high risk of homelessness if they have no relatives or a safe home to return to after leaving certain institutions. This situation is especially concerning to children in medical or child care facilities. The latest report of The Council of Europe on the rights of institutionalized children and children at risk (2006) confirms the high homelessness rates of children leaving care facilities in Europe.
Most children that experience or have experienced homelessness, unfortunately, tend to deal with mental health issues. Ultimately, these children are likely to suffer from severe depression and suicidal tendencies.
So what can we do to help? If you just happen to know someone in this type of situation you should immediately report it and make sure that there's someone who can take care of them. If you have the means necessary you might even want to consider fostering a child in this situation. Just remember: giving them money helps, but not long-term.
Editor
Stefania Zupu
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