In the 2020-2021 school year, 4,076 school-age youth in Wake County were identified as homeless, an increase of 86% over the last nine years.
Homeless Youth at Higher Risk of Human Trafficking
Research from numerous studies have found trafficking rates among youth and young adults experiencing homelessness ranging from 19% to 40%. LGBTQ youth and youth who have been in foster care experience trafficking at higher rates than other youth experiencing homelessness (National Network for Youth, nn4youth.org).
Children Living in Poverty
Nearly 30% of children in Wake County live in poverty or low-income homes (NC Child, ncchild.org, 2021 Data Card).
Housing Costs Continue to Skyrocket
The cost of housing (including rentals) in Wake County continues to skyrocket. Working minimum wage, a Wake County worker would have to work 108 hours each week to afford a 1-bedroom apartment (Out of Reach 2020, NC).
_edited_edited.png)
