Ending Youth Homelessness in Riverside

Riverside leaders have made a bold declaration, stating that thanks to the city’s new measures, they’ve effectively ended youth homelessness.

The city’s efforts have focused on a strategy that involved three key steps to achieve this milestone.

The Declaration

“Here in the city of Riverside, we have effectively ended youth homelessness,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a news conference. Although the city technically does still have unhoused youth, the city said it reached a “functional zero” in the population, meaning the city now has the resources and services to house those ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Key Strategy

According to the city, its key strategy comes in three parts:

• Creating a list of unhoused youth
• Creating weekly calls with youth service providers to ensure the unsheltered youth was connected to the right resources
• Increasing shelter availability.

Impact of the Strategy

Michelle Davis, Riverside’s Director of Housing and Human Services, said the first step has been a monumental key in reaching this milestone. “This tool has been instrumental in tracking our homeless youth and ensuring they are quickly linked to shelter,” she said. The city still has more than 600 people living on the streets, according to its 2023 homeless count. With state funding, however, Riverside increased transitional shelter beds and has been able to offer $600 incentives to landlords willing to house vulnerable youth.

Personal Stories of Success

At the news conference, one young man shared his own story of experiencing homelessness and said the city’s help has been a lifeline. “Due to a difficult family breakup and the loss of my job, I found myself homeless, living in a parked vehicle,” Gabriel Castillo shared. “I was officially housed in a unit on Jan. 24, 2025, and finally have a space I can call my own.” Castillo said he found refuge at a city-run youth center that helped him connect to resources that helped him get back on his feet.

Access to Resources

Those who are experiencing homelessness like Castillo once was can get more information on resources and support in Riverside here.

Conclusion

The city of Riverside’s efforts to end youth homelessness have been successful, with a focus on creating a list of unhoused youth, connecting them to resources, and increasing shelter availability. While there is still work to be done to address homelessness in the city, the progress made in supporting vulnerable youth is a significant step forward.

FAQs

• Q: What is "functional zero" in the context of youth homelessness?
  A: "Functional zero" means that the city has the resources and services to house all youth ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness.
• Q: How has the city increased shelter availability?
  A: The city has increased transitional shelter beds and offers $600 incentives to landlords willing to house vulnerable youth.
• Q: Where can those experiencing homelessness find more information on resources and support in Riverside?
  A: Those in need can find more information on resources and support in Riverside here.