Generation Homeless: Young Adults in the Recession

A new generation of homelessness -- adults between the ages of 18 and 25 -- are facing their worst job prospects since the Great Depression. Poverty rates are rising in the United States. At least two million young adults will face homelessness in the United States. Furthermore, more homeless young adults are coming out of the foster care system.

Unemployment rates are higher among young adults than other age groups. In July, the youth unemployment rate edged over 19 percent, the highest July rate on record since 1948. In 2009, 80 percent of college graduates moved home after finishing school, according to job listing website Collegegrad.com, up from 77 percent in 2008 and 67 percent in 2006. Those without the training and family support of college graduates are hurting even more.

Unfortunately, there is a lack of specialized shelters and services for this demographic. Most people assume 18-24 year old adults go straight to college or postsecondary training. The psychological and development issues can be also be traumatic because this is a period of emerging adulthood.

You can watch the video documentary below:

Generation Homeless: Voices from the Street from Mike Kane on Vimeo.