Chicago’s Youth Face Ongoing Housing and Food Challenges
According to research by the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, an estimated 12,000 unaccompanied youth experience homelessness in Chicago each year, living without stable housing or relying on doubled-up arrangements with friends or family. Many students experiencing homelessness face additional barriers to education and stability.
Meanwhile, 1 in 4 children in Cook County are at risk of hunger, meaning many families and youth struggle to access consistent, nutritious food per statistics cited by the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Youth homelessness is often linked to involvement with the child welfare system, highlighting the intersection of these challenges.
Support for Chicago Youth Ages 12–24 at Broadway Youth Center
This content is for young people ages 12–24 seeking housing and community resource connections in Chicago, Illinois, as well as their families and advocates. Community resource connections refer to linking youth with services such as food, healthcare, education, and employment support. At Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center (BYC), we believe access to safe housing and supportive resources is essential to youth achieving stability and long-term success.
BYC is designed to help young people who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. To BYC, this means that a young person does not always have access to a safe, steady place to live, however, by fostering a connection to stable housing, basic needs assistance, and supportive networks, we can assist youth with the means to achieve stability, safety, and overall wellness. Our work is part of broader efforts across Illinois to address youth homelessness through advocacy, collaboration, and resource allocation.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Immediate assistance is available for youth in crisis or urgent need. Call us at 773.388.1600 with any questions, fill out our online self-referral form and a team member will reach out to you directly, or feel free to drop in during our normal business hours for support and guidance. Here is a link to our location and hours of operation.
Meeting Basic Needs with Respect and Dignity
Housing insecurity and food insecurity directly affect a young person’s ability to learn, grow, and plan for the future. At Broadway Youth Center in Chicago, we focus on helping young people with immediate needs and establishing a foundation for stability. Our process involves working closely with each individual, engaging community partners, and continuously refining our approach to ensure youth are connected to the right resources and supports:
Safe Housing Options
- We help young people connect to safe housing options by working with local partners to help youth find shelter or longer-term housing opportunities, with the goal of helping each young person establish a sense of home and stability.
Food and Basic Supplies
- We work to provide access to food and basic supplies by connecting young people to community food resources, pantries, and supports that reduce hunger and food insecurity, including weekly distributions or ongoing support as needed.
Financial Support & Benefits
- We provide referrals for financial support & benefits assisting young people in learning about public benefits and financial resources that may help them afford housing, food, health care, and more. We also provide travel assistance to help youth reach essential services.
We recognize that young people experiencing homelessness often face unique barriers, including families that cannot support them, transitions from foster care or juvenile justice, and disruptions in education. The time it can take for youth to access stable housing and resources can be significant, and we work to reduce wait times and extend support as needed. Our team supports young people in exploring options and accessing the resources that fit their individual journey.
Support and Resource Guidance for Unstably-Housed Young People
Secure housing helps young people focus on school, work, health, and wellness. The goal of our housing support programs is to help youth achieve housing stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term success. Our community resource connections support youth through:
Housing Navigation Assistance
- Housing navigation assistance helps youth understand where and how to find housing support in the city.
Referrals to Shelter & Transitional Programs
- Referrals to shelter and transitional programs provides connection for young people to programs designed for youth and young adult populations.
Partner Referrals for Wraparound Support
- Partner referrals for wraparound support provides comprehensive services addressing multiple needs such as health, employment, and counseling. We do this by engaging with community organizations to address interconnected needs like health care, employment, and substance use treatment.
Because solutions often involve many agencies and systems, we help bridge connections that lead to stable housing and longer-term success. Call us at 773.388.1600 with any questions, fill out our online self-referral form and a team member will reach out to you directly, or feel free to drop in during our normal business hours for support and guidance. Here is a link to our location and hours of operation.
Education and Employment Support
Housing and community resource connections are deeply tied to education and employment outcomes. Young people who lack stable housing are more likely to face barriers in school attendance and workforce participation, but community supports can make a difference.
- We connect young people to school and educational supports that reduce disruptions in learning.
- Referrals for employment services and job readiness help young adults gain confidence, income, and skills.
- We link youth to programs that support social development, life planning, and long-term goals.
These supports help ensure that housing stability becomes a foundation for future achievement. Call us at 773.388.1600 with any questions, fill out our online self-referral form and a team member will reach out to you directly, or feel free to drop in during our normal business hours for support and guidance. Here is a link to our location and hours of operation.
Whole-Person Support for Mental Health & Overall Wellness
Young people facing housing instability often struggle with mental health, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Broadway Youth Center connects youth to:
- Primary care and health services
- Mental health support and referrals
- Substance use resources
- Wellness-focused community programs
By addressing these overlapping needs, we help youth build resilience and continue their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency. Call us at 773.388.1600 with any questions, fill out our online self-referral form and a team member will reach out to you directly, or feel free to drop in during our normal business hours for support and guidance. Here is a link to our location and hours of operation.
At Broadway Youth Center, we are committed to connecting young people with the housing resources, community support, and tools they need to thrive in Chicago. By fostering stable housing, access to education, community involvement, and wellbeing, we help youth build confidence and move forward on their path to a secure and healthy future.
Engaging In Our Community to Support Youth
For years, Broadway Youth Center has understood that young people experiencing homelessness in Chicago face barriers that too often leave them without the support they deserve. We know that navigating life on the streets isn’t just about finding a place to sleep, it’s about accessing the resources, connections, and care that help youth not just survive, but truly thrive. That’s why we’ve built our work around meeting young people where they are, partnering with local businesses, schools, and community organizations who share our commitment to ensuring every young person has the affirming support they need to reach their full potential.
We believe that genuine community engagement means creating spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and connected. Broadway Youth Center is a community hub & drop-in resource center; it’s a place where relationships grow between youth, advocates, and community members who show up because they care. Whether you’re volunteering, participating in our fundraising events, or joining educational workshops, you’ll find that these connections create something more powerful than services alone. They build the trust and understanding that help young people know they’re not walking this journey alone.
When we work together, youth, volunteers, partners, and advocates, we create more than just a safety net. We build a community that recognizes the strength and resilience young people bring to their own healing journey. These collective efforts help youth build confidence, find stability, and move forward toward wellness and independence on their own terms. If you’re ready to be part of supporting young people in your community, we invite you to reach out to Ignite and discover how your unique contributions can make a real difference in a young person’s life.
Advocacy and Policy
Howard Brown Health’s Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy (ERA) work is, in part, designed to create lasting change for young people experiencing unstable housing. We know that real solutions come from working closely with local, state, and national policymakers, and that’s why we champion policies that address what young people actually need, like access to affordable housing, quality education, and meaningful employment opportunities. Our advocacy efforts are rooted in a commitment to social justice, and we’re focused on breaking down the barriers that keep young people from achieving stable housing and overall wellness.
We also play a key role in raising awareness about what’s really driving homelessness, things like poverty, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to social services. Through education, training, and community outreach, we make sure service providers, community members, and decision-makers have the information they need to better support young people experiencing homelessness. We believe that when people understand the root causes, they’re better equipped to be part of the solution.
By advocating for systemic change and working to improve social services, we help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all young people. This work doesn’t just support youth in finding stable housing and economic security, it serves to foster a community where every young person has the opportunity to thrive. To learn more about our advocacy work or to get involved in supporting policy change, visit our website or contact our team for more information.
Explore Additional BYC Youth Services
- Young Adult Primary Care – BYC provides primary care tailored to the unique needs of young people. Learn more here.
- Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health – We offer confidential sexual and reproductive health services, including STI testing, birth control counseling, and education on healthy relationships and safer sex practices. Learn more here.
- Youth Mental Health Counseling – BYC provides mental health counseling tailored to the unique needs of youth and young adults. Our team offers support for issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress, helping you build resilience and emotional well-being. Learn more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does this program serve?
We support youth and young adults ages 12–24 with housing and community resource connections that help meet basic needs and support long-term goals.
How do you help with housing?
We offer resource navigation to housing options, connect youth to shelter and transitional housing programs, and work with community partners to support stable living arrangements.
Can Broadway Youth Center help with food and basic needs?
Yes, we connect youth to community food resources, pantries, and programs to access necessities like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies.
Do you provide financial or benefits assistance?
While we do not directly provide cash assistance, we help youth explore public benefits, financial supports, and referrals that may help afford basic living costs.
How do I contact or visit the Broadway Youth Center?
Visit our location during open hours or contact us through the Howard Brown Health website to learn more about services, resource connections, and how to get started.
Call us at 773.388.1600 with any questions, fill out our online self-referral form and a team member will reach out to you directly, or feel free to drop in during our normal business hours for support and guidance. Here is a link to our location and hours of operation.