CA SCR167

Designates November 2024 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month to recognize the need for action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in California.

Identifies runaway and homeless youth as those between 12 and 24 years of age with an estimated 200,000 youth under 18 and thousands more ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness annually in California.

Notes California has 29 percent of the nation's homeless youth (the highest of any state) with 68.2 percent of unaccompanied homeless youth unsheltered, and documents increased youth housing beds from 3,159 in 2015 to 6,240 in 2023.

Acknowledges homeless youth face physical abuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and that an estimated 300,000 youth are victims or at risk of commercial sexual exploitation annually with 60 percent being homeless.

Calls for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take coordinated action to provide housing, support services, and prevention programs for runaway and homeless youth.