A Survey of State Laws Presented by
National Homelessness Law Center
Unhoused young people face multiple barriers in accessing health care and have disproportionately high rates of chronic mental health issues. Some studies have found as many as 80-90% of unhoused youth and young adults meet the criteria for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders. This isn’t surprising, considering the profound trauma caused by housing instability in and of itself, and the high rates of childhood abuse, violence and victimization reported by unhoused youth both before and after homelessness.
Accessing effective mental health treatment is a challenge for adults with housing, income, and comprehensive health insurance; for a young person without these resources, thechallenge can feel insurmountable. This guide is meant to outline the legal rights and public resources that do exist for unhoused youth and young adults, ranging from states that remove unnecessary barriers and improve access to states that greatly restrict or block needed care.
Unfortunately, whether or not unhoused youth can technically access health insurance coverage or consent to mental health treatment is not the end of the story. Mental health treatment alone will not solve youth homelessness. But it is an important tool in helping young people heal from the trauma of homelessness and in maintaining safe and stable housing.
Heartfelt thank you to Alston&Bird, who coordinated research teams from their firm and beyond!
Katie Meyer Scott,
Youth Homelessness Program Director
Find more resources for youth and young adults:
Find legal help in your area:
Learn more about the
Law Center:
National Homelessness Law Center
1400 16th Street NW
Suite 425
Washington, DC 20036
Suite 425
Washington, DC 20036
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