Navigating service pathways out of youth homelessness: An analysis of shelter utilization in Central Florida

Social services provide frontline support for people experiencing social problems. As one social problem, youth homelessness is an international issue affecting youth's long-term well-being. Using 2002–2023 Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data from the Orlando metropolitan region in the United States, we use network and survival analysis to examine the service pathways of 8322 youth aged 18–24 through the homeless service system and identify which pathway – youth homeless services, general emergency shelter, or both – relates with shorter experiences of homelessness without a return. While youth show diverse pathways of service use, using youth homeless services compared with general shelters alone generally relates to achieving housing more quickly, although the two services complement each other leading to the shortest duration when used together. Our findings call for more research, policies, and services to connect young people experiencing homelessness to services targeting specialized groups.