The Cost of Homelessness and Research on YouthLink’s Effectiveness Every night in Minnesota, it's estimated that 6,000 young people are homeless. But we have a unique opportunity to prevent a lifetime of dependency and solve the disparity issues that prevent success for all Minnesotans.

Foldes Consulting, LLC, studied the economic burden of youth homelessness in Minnesota, focusing on the short- and long-term costs to taxpayers and society. The study examined comprehensive costs of more than 1,400 16-to-24 year olds who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless who visited YouthLink in 2011. The study found that all annual and support costs for the entire group can be covered if 89 youth (only 6.1% of the total young people in the study) were to earn enough so that they no longer need any public support, beginning at age 20.

The Cost of Homelessness

Download the full study completed by Foldes Consulting, LLC.

PowerPoint Presentation

View the Cost of Homelessness Study as a Powerpoint Presentation with notes by Foldes Consulting, LLC

Minnesota’s Investment Opportunity – Homeless Youth

Download the infographic version of the study.

Youth Experiencing Homelessness Benefit from Drop-In Centers

Download the infographic version of the study

Examining a Drop-In and Case Management Model

Download the Research Brief

A Case Study for YouthLink

Download the White Paper: Does a Drop-In and Case Management Model Improve Outcomes for Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness?

Youth Experiencing Homelessness Throughout Minnesota

While the economic burden of homeless youth was estimated for Hennepin County clients of YouthLink, youth are experiencing homelessness in all areas of the state. For more information on data relevant to other parts of Minnesota, please contact Dr. Steven Foldes at steven.foldes@foldesconsulting.com

Please also see these
links for additional
coverage on this topic

The Kresge Foundation
MinnPost

At YouthLink, we have over 30 partner agencies providing services to young people through the Youth Opportunity Center.

Meet Lexi Byler United States Senate

“”

Meet our young professionals board >