For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Nicole Garroutte
ngarroutte@larkinstreetyouth.org
(415) 673.0911 ext. 305

Larkin Street Releases 2007 Research Brief and Report

“San Francisco Youth Homelessness In Brief”
Demand for Services Outstrips Supply

San Francisco (CA) March 28, 2008 – Larkin Street Youth Services, San Francisco’s leading provider of housing
and support services for homeless youth ages 12-24, recently released their research brief and report
examining youth homelessness in San Francisco. Larkin Street’s research reviewed the needs of homeless youth
as demonstrated by utilization of Larkin Street’s services in 2007. Findings from the 2007 Larkin Street “San
Francisco Youth Homelessness In Brief” and “Youth Homelessness In San Francisco: Incidence and Needs
Report” indicate that the supply of housing and support services available to homeless youth falls well short of
demand in San Francisco.

A national epidemic of homelessness exists among youth, with an estimated 1.6 million young people struggling
against homelessness each year in the U.S. This epidemic of youth homelessness is visibly evident in San
Francisco, where an estimated 5,700 youth were marginally housed or living on the streets in 2006-2007.
Larkin Street saw a 45% increase in youth served in that time period, with total youth served by the agency
tripling over the past 4 years. During 2006-2007, Larkin Street provided 3,200 homeless kids (over 55% of the
homeless youth population) with a full continuum of critical basic and support services including housing,
medical, education and employment services.

Larkin Street’s research confirms that homeless and runaway youth face a multitude of problems beyond
housing:

• Homeless youth are often faced with mental health and substance abuse issues.
Of the youth who entered Larkin Street’s care in 2007, nearly half of them had already received psychiatric
care and/or medications and/or had been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. The level of substance abuse
among the youth that Larkin Street served in 2007 was also high, with 82% of them reporting that they
used drugs with the average age of first drug use being age 12.

• Youth of color are increasingly at risk.

In 2007 the percentage of African American and Latino and Latina youth grew as a percent of total youth
served by Larkin Street. Youth of color, particularly African American and Latino(a) youth, are
disproportionately represented in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Contact with either of these
systems increases a youth’s chance to end up homeless and on the streets.

• Homeless lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are confronted with unique issues.
While approximately 3-5 percent of the United States population identifies as lesbian or gay, 30 percent of
Larkin Street youth in 2007 reported that they were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex. Many
LGBT youth flee their communities because they are not accepted or understood due to their sexual
orientation or gender identity and head to San Francisco which is seen as a safe haven. These youth are at
increased risk for depression and isolation due to stigmatization.

“Youth ages 12 to 24 are San Francisco’s most vulnerable group within the homeless community.” said Sherilyn
Adams, Larkin Street’s Executive Director. “We have a bold goal here at Larkin Street: we want a world where
all homeless youth have the opportunity to get a job, get educated, and live independently…just like the rest of
us. We strive to reach this goal by continuing to increase our housing capacity, enhance our programs, and
advocate throughout the community on behalf of our kids.”

Copies of the Larkin Street Youth Homelessness In Brief and Report and 2007 Annual Report are available
online at www.larkinstreetyouth.org/news/in-brief.php or upon request by phone (415) 673.0911 ext. 224 or
email dwilderson@larkinstreetyouth.org

About Larkin Street Youth Services

Founded in 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services is a globally-recognized non-profit leader providing innovative,
effective housing, medical, social and educational services for at risk homeless and runaway youth ages 12-24,
across 23 programs and 12 sites in San Francisco. The mission of Larkin Street is to provide a continuum of
services that inspires homeless and runaway youth to move beyond the streets. For more information, please
visit www.larkinstreetyouth.org
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