Nonprofit exploring youth housing project following report linking homelessness, criminal justice involvement

Living independently for the first time can be challenging for many young adults, but those involved in the foster care or justice system are especially vulnerable to homelessness, according to a new report. 

Young adults aging out of foster care often have no credit or rental history and limited finances, like many 18-year-olds looking for their first apartment, said Andrea Graham, a transitional living services worker with Missoula nonprofit Youth Homes. But the youth Graham works with are sometimes dealing with past trauma and limited adult support as they look for a job and housing, she said.