Quick Facts: Florida
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 80% of metrics met
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Laws authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness: 92% of metrics met
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Preventing youth experiencing homelessness from coming into contact with the criminal and juvenile justice systems: 76% of metrics met
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Providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently: 88% of metrics met
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Addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness: 100% of metrics met
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Allowing youth experiencing homelessness to access critical supports and services: 67% of metrics met
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Systems: 28% of metrics met
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Environment: 18% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 60
State Ranking 2022: 17
2022 Score
2021 Score
53
60
Florida Highlights
Some areas where Florida has moved the needle relative to other states include authorizing comprehensive supports and services for youth experiencing homelessness, providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently, and addressing the educational needs of youth experiencing homelessness.
Law & Policy
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State does not consider running away a criminal offense.
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The state allows shelters to take in homeless youth with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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The state gives minors contract rights OR allows them to enter into binding contracts for certain purposes (e.g. necessities).
Systems
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There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
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The state provides tuition waivers for foster youth.
Environment
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The state establishes protected class status based on one's sexual orientation and gender identity for juvenile justice programs.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Sunshine State, with emphasis on the Systems and Environment categories. Creating a statewide strategy to end homelessness that includes a youth-specific component and protecting the rights and interests of vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness, including LGBTQ youth, should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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The state should prohibit police from taking runaway youth and youth experiencing homelessness into custody.
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Provide transportation home after discharge from the juvenile justice system.
Systems
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Create a statewide strategy to prevent and end youth homelessness that includes a plan to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
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Create a state entity – such as an Office of Homeless Youth Services – that focuses solely on designing, implementing, and evaluating youth homelessness programs.
Environment
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The state should establish and maintain stipends for a community advisory board that informs youth homelessness policy (Youth Action Board).
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The state should require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development or issues specific to LGBTQ+ youth for staff working in RHY Systems.
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The state should establish nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ youth in youth homelessness services.