About Youth Homelessness in MN
On any given night in the state of Minnesota, more than 6,000 unaccompanied youth are experiencing homelessness. Of these youth, 35 percent are age 17 and younger.
Youth Homelessness
Youth Homelessness in Minnesota
We believe all young people should live in safe and healthy environments.
More than 6,000 youth throughout Minnesota experience homelessness on any given night, according to a recent Wilder Foundation report. About 90 percent of those youth have experienced trauma, and one-third have experienced violence and exploitation. Circumstances put them at risk of dropping out of school, unemployment, chemical dependency, sex trafficking, and an adult life of homelessness.
Each year, LSS of MN makes thousands of contacts and provides youth with the resources they need to launch into productive, healthy, and independent lives. We are committed to supporting youth to gain stability through early intervention and prevention services, supportive shelters and housing options, and services to restore and strengthen families.
Services are designed to help youth find stable housing, learn life skills, succeed in school, connect with peers, avoid and move forward after sex trafficking, gain employment, and reunite with their families when that is possible.
Services for Youth Homelessness
Brainerd Lakes & Central MN
LSS offers services supporting children, youth, individuals and families in crisis across seven counties in the Brainerd Lakes region and Central Minnesota.
Coordinated Entry System (CES)
Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a statewide system for assessing the needs of youth, adults and families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and helping them find safe housing and supportive services.
Duluth & North Shore Area
Lutheran Social Service supports more than 800 young people every year in greater Duluth, making thousands of contacts and providing them with the resources they need to launch into productive, healthy and independent lives.
Mankato Area
Youth in the Mankato area who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness turn to Lutheran Social Service (LSS) for nonjudgmental support and assistance. We are committed to providing youth with the resources they need to launch into productive, healthy and independent lives.
Rochester & Southeast MN
We offer resources for youth ages 16-24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Our services include an emergency youth hotline, youth resource center, services to improve independent living skills, exploitation and sex trafficking prevention and education, host homes for youth, transitional housing, a peer support group, Youth Leadership Council, and street outreach.
Twin Cities Metro
It’s estimated that 6,000 youth experience homelessness on any given night in Minnesota. About half of these youth live in the Twin Cities area.
Virginia & The Range
We support hundreds of youth and families every year in the Virginia and the Iron Range area.
Willmar Area
Youth in the Willmar, Minnesota, area who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness turn to Lutheran Social Service (LSS) for nonjudgmental support and assistance.