Press Release on Homeless Youth in Oregon - League of Women Voters or Oregon

An extensive League of Women Voters survey throughout Oregon found that thousands of youth between the ages of 12 and 21 are homeless and that funding problems have seriously reduced services to help them. As a result of the report, the LWV is advocating for more services to prevent youth homelessness and to meet the needs of these young people.

During 2005-2006, over 70 volunteers for the League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) interviewed more than 300 government and school officials, and representatives of private and public agencies. They also surveyed and conducted group interviews with more than 150 youths who had been homeless. By introducing the voice of these young people, the LWV study adds a new dimension to the discussion about this growing crisis.

The study found that homeless youth “are living in shelters, couch surfing with friends, seeking shelter in vehicles or abandoned buildings or sleeping on the street. They often have no address or identification documents and no parental assistance in financial matters. They may have lost or severed contact with their parents or extended family.” By one estimate, as many as 24,000 Oregon youth may lack a stable residence and are living away from a parent or guardian.

In the 24-page report on the study, “Oregon's Homeless Youth,” LWVOR focuses on who these youths are, why they are homeless, what services governments and private agencies provide, funding problems and service gaps, and how to improve services. Data discussed includes: night counts in shelters, estimates of the numbers of homeless teens in Oregon, gender, education levels, reasons for homelessness, kinds of services provided, cutbacks, and services that have been shown to work well.

In communities throughout Oregon, interviewers found that cuts in federal and state funding were forcing cutbacks in services. Funds for the Commission on Children and Families were significantly cut in the last three legislative budgets, which has resulted in a loss of funding for local shelter and prevention programs. In addition: "Funding problems are caused not only by diminished resources, but also by the complexity of the system involved in securing funds."

As a result of the study, the LWVOR board adopted a position calling for more preventive services, shelter, and housing throughout Oregon for homeless youth and their families. The state League is currently actively advocating for this position in the legislative session in Salem. Also, local Leagues in many Oregon cities will testify on their communities’ specific needs before the Joint Ways and Means Committee as it travels to hold hearings throughout the state.

To obtain a copy of the report on the Homeless Youth Advocacy Position you can down load your copy here at

full report on Homeless Youth in Oregon (pdf file)

or call (503) 581-5722.

The League of Women Voters of Oregon is a grassroots, nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government in order to build better communities statewide. More information about the LWV can be found at www.lwvor.org.

League of Women Voters of Rogue Valley

P.O. Box 8555

Medford, OR 97501

541-245-6920

Last revised: March 20, 2007