Beginning stabilization among youth begins with ensuring a rapid exit from emergency shelters. Although youth-specific emergency shelters are a key strategy for addressing youth homelessness, they are a temporary solution. The long-term goal is to create youth-specific pathways out of homelessness (47). Ensuring a rapid exit from emergency shelters is the first step to achieving this. The implementation of diversion programs, training case managers to help youth obtain housing, and implementing flexible financial support for youth are key strategies to ensure youth can quickly exit emergency shelters (46). Although it is important to ensure the exit from emergency shelters as quickly as possible, it is also critical to ensure that these strategies are implemented using a person-centered, youth choice, and trauma-informed approach.
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