What works in addressing youth homelessness, from policy to practice? VoYC has reviewed more than 2,400 articles to help answer that question. The VoYC evidence review is the most comprehensive of its kind to date, building on previous reviews while also integrating the latest research in the field.

The evidence review is one of eights components of the Voices of Youth Count research. It will synthesize findings about the effectiveness of youth homelessness interventions. “We will look at not only what works, but for what, for whom and for how long,” said Matt Morton, who leads VoYC. “Communities and policy makers need a clear and nuanced understanding of what the current evidence base says – and what it doesn’t say – about the impacts of interventions on youth homelessness and related outcomes.”

Over the course of the review, researchers at Chapin Hall screened more than 2,400 records. The search criteria focused on documents published after 2008 to complement a previous systematic review of publications released prior to that date. The VoYC search captured evaluations of a broad range of interventions in areas like supportive housing, social/emotional health, employment support, behavioral and mental health, and more.

In May, the protocol for this review was published on Prospero, an international registry for systemic reviews that promotes research transparency. For more information about the search and exclusion criteria, explore the linked Prospero page above.