Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy. This bill would reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, which expired last September. The programs supported by this Act have provided lifesaving services and housing for America's homeless and human trafficked youth for forty years and are a vital tool in addressing the problem of homelessness among young people in our country. Homelessness is affecting youth in unprecedented numbers. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are approximately 1.6 million homeless teens in the United States. Some advocacy groups estimate that 39 percent of the homeless population is under the age of 18. Some of these youth may stay away from home for only one or two nights, while others have been living on the street for years. Of the 1.6 million homeless youth, the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that, in any given year, there are approximately 550,000 unaccompanied, single youth and young adults up to age 24 who experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. Approximately 200,000 youth each year live permanently on the street--a life that is extremely difficult, often dangerous, and unhealthy. Sadly, 5,000 teenagers are buried each year in unmarked graves either because they are unidentified or unclaimed. Teens run away and become homeless for many reasons.…”