Quick Facts: Oregon
Performance Breakdown
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Law & Policy: 68% 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: 43% 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: 61% of metrics met
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Systems: 89% of metrics met
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Environment: 24% of metrics met
State Score 2022: 64
State Ranking 2022: 14
2022 Score
2021 Score
64
63
Oregon Highlights
Some areas where Oregon has moved the needle relative to other states include providing unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to seek legal independence and live independently, minimizing barriers to their access to comprehensive supports and services, addressing their educational needs, and promoting safety and inclusion by providing protections for LGBTQ youth within key state programs.
Law & Policy
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The state has RHY statutes similar to the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) that provides funding for emergency services and other supports to prevent and end youth homelessness.
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State law does not specifically criminalize running away.
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State law provides youth experiencing homelessness some contract rights.
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The state allows unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage without parental consent.
Systems
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There is a current state plan to end homelessness that contains a youth-specific component.
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There is a state interagency council on homelessness.
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The state allows youth to obtain a state-issued identification card without parental consent.
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There is a state entity (Office of homeless youth services, homeless youth state coordinator, commission on homeless youth, etc.) that focuses solely on youth homelessness.
Environment
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The state has banned conversion therapy for minors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
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The state promotes safe and inclusive environments in child welfare and juvenile justice programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Recommendations for Improvement
There is room for improvement throughout the metrics for the Beaver State, with emphasis on the Law & Policy category. Preventing contact between youth experiencing homelessness and the criminal and juvenile justice systems should be prioritized.
Law & Policy
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Enact law or regulation to allow shelters to take in youth experiencing homelessness with a delay or waiver of notification requirements.
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The state should allow unaccompanied youth under 18 to apply for health insurance coverage without parental consent.
Systems
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As part of the state plan to prevent and end youth homelessness, include a strategy to address homelessness among LGBTQ youth.
Environment
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Organize and maintain a self-governing youth action board or council to inform youth homelessness policy within the state.
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Require training about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, healthy sexual development, or issues specific to LGBTQ youth for staff working in runaway and homeless youth systems.
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Promote safe and inclusive environments in runaway and homeless youth programs by providing protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.