The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee convened on March 26, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding youth homelessness in California. The meeting focused on the need for improved access to services for homeless and at-risk youth, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches to their unique challenges.

The session began with a call to action, highlighting the necessity of removing barriers that prevent homeless youth from accessing essential services. Committee members discussed the inadequacies within the current continuum of care, which has left youth disproportionately disadvantaged. It was noted that existing methodologies often fail to account for the specific experiences of young people, particularly regarding their duration of homelessness.

Sherilyn Adams, Executive Director of Larkin Street Youth Services, provided expert testimony, underscoring the distinct challenges faced by young individuals experiencing homelessness. She pointed out that the current coordinated entry system prioritizes individuals based on the length of time they have been homeless, a metric that does not adequately reflect the vulnerabilities of youth. Adams advocated for a more nuanced assessment tool that considers factors such as age, recent experiences of homelessness, and potential risks like trafficking.

The proposed legislation aims to establish best practices for youth-specific assessments within the coordinated entry system. This initiative seeks to ensure that the tools used to evaluate young people's needs are sensitive to their developmental stage and do not re-traumatize them. Adams emphasized that the goal is not to create a separate system but to enhance existing frameworks to better serve youth.

The committee's discussions highlighted a commitment to addressing youth homelessness in a thoughtful and equitable manner, with a focus on implementing changes that can lead to effective housing solutions. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of prioritizing youth in the ongoing efforts to combat homelessness in California.