Andrade Backs Bill to End Youth Homelessness

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Due to the substantial number of young persons in the state who are homeless, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, has signed on to legislation to address the crises.

“Many of our youth have nowhere to turn once they age out of the state systems, often ending up on the streets, in homeless shelters or incarcerated,” Andrade said. “It is crucial that we do not assume that young people who spent their formative years in and out of state custody, often experiencing numerous traumas, are able to support themselves the minute they are legally adults.”

House Bill 2983 creates the Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee within the Governor’s Office. In Illinois, one out of ten persons age 18 to 25 years old experience homelessness. Many homeless youth have a history of being in state custody due to unstable and abusive home lives. However, once they age out of care, they are often left to fend for themselves despite not having the tools necessary to be self-sufficient. The bill aims to address this by tasking the committee to study the discharge plans and procedures for youth leaving the custody of the state and collect data on housing stability. The committee will then issue recommendations for plans for sustainable housing, education and employment strategies and establish collaborations among different state departments to overcome these challenges.

“It takes a village to raise a child and these young people are no different despite their more difficult circumstances,” Andrade said. “It is our duty to prepare the children of our state for the future. Youth who have come into interaction with the state system face additional challenges, but they deserve to have access to the same opportunities as anyone else. This legislation will help address the issue of youth homelessness and help more children throughout Illinois.