Finding Hope and Home: Understanding Homelessness This November
November is National Homelessness Awareness Month — a time to reflect, learn, and take action on one of our community’s most urgent and human issues. Homelessness is not simply a lack of housing — it’s a complex challenge shaped by rising costs just to meet our basic needs, systemic barriers, and a lack of truly affordable housing options.
Across the nation, communities are feeling the strain. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “The United States experienced an unprecedented rise in homelessness, driven by the nation’s affordability crisis.” Between 2023 and 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased by 18 percent — from 653,104 people to 771,480 during the annual Point-in-Time count.
The same report notes that demand for homeless services is rising sharply. In 2024, homeless response workers served more than 1.1 million people, a 12 percent increase from the year before. And homelessness is increasing among vulnerable populations, including people with children and disabilities.
Youth in Minnesota: A Closer Look
Here in Minnesota, the trend is equally concerning. According to the 2023 Minnesota Homeless Study, conducted by Wilder Research, 10,522 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2023.
While Wilder’s research found a 17% decrease in the number of youth (age 24 and younger) experiencing homelessness on their own since 2018, YouthLink’s experience has been different. Over that same five-year span, the number of youth we served increased by 19.2%. Factors that contribute to growth at YouthLink include the comprehensive, accessible services and resources we offer, and the ways that our Voices of Youth Advisory Council, leadership, and staff reflect and represent the backgrounds and lived experiences of the youth we serve—creating a culture of acceptance and trust. Through September 2025, youth visits to our drop-in center are up 32% compared to the same time last year. The need in our community is growing — and YouthLink continues to meet that need head-on, providing pathways to housing and food security, healthcare resources, and a sense of belonging for thousands of young people each year.
Samera’s Story: Finding Strength in Support
For every statistic, there’s a person with a story — someone like Samera, who turned to YouthLink when she needed a safe place to land.
Samera faced homelessness and came to YouthLink’s downtown Drop-In Center for an intake meeting. Two weeks later, she got a call that changed everything.
“They called me saying they had housing for me. This is Nicollet Square and we have your keys. And I’m like, so when can I move in there? Like right now. I’m like, today? And they’re like, right now.”
Moving into Nicollet Square was the first step toward stability. From there, Samera began setting goals for her future. One of her dreams was to become a cosmetologist — and with guidance and support from YouthLink staff, she made it happen.
“When I moved into Nicollet Square, the staff had me set goals and asked what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a cosmetologist, and they helped me find the right school and apply for loans. They supported me — which made me want it more.”
Samera completed cosmetology school, calling it “the best day of my life.” With determination and encouragement from staff who “feel like family,” she pushed through challenges and began saving for her next big goal: homeownership.
“Every plan that I have made with staff here, whether it took two days, three weeks or a year, it has happened. So my next steps are to try and buy a house once I move out of here.”
Samera’s story shows what’s possible when a young person’s courage meets a community that believes in them. She reached out for help — and YouthLink was there to walk alongside her as she built the foundation for a stable, independent future.
Later this month, you’ll be able to watch Samera share her story in her own words in a new video we’ll release as part of our year-end campaign. Stay tuned to YouthLink’s website and social media channels to see her story come to life.
The Need Is Rising — and So Must We
At YouthLink, we are committed to meeting young people where they are — offering basic needs, housing opportunities, education and employment resources, clinical and mental health care, emotional support, and more —services that are relevant and easily accessible for youth facing some of the greatest challenges and barriers the system throws at us. And they are coming to YouthLink because our approach makes it possible for them to achieve stability and reach for their dreams.
But sustaining this level of care and making a measurable impact for a growing number of youth will take more resources and funding in the coming year.
We are stewarding community resources and funds efficiently and effectively, and leveraging a growing number of partnerships, but as demand continues to rise, we need our community to help us fill the gap.
Whether you’re a first time donor, a longtime donor who has the means to sustain or increase your support, or if signing up to be a monthly donor will help you maximize your generosity, your gift today will have a direct and immediate impact for young people experiencing homelessness in your community.
Thank you for being part of this community and supporting this life-changing work.
