{"id":140950,"date":"2026-02-02T18:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/140950\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T18:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:48:08","slug":"tallahassee-youth-shelter-reflects-on-rising-youth-homelessness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/140950\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallahassee youth shelter reflects on rising youth homelessness"},"content":{"rendered":"

SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL \u2014 When temperatures drop in Tallahassee, Capital City Youth Services<\/a> opens its doors as an overnight shelter for youth aged 10 to 17.<\/p>\n

But the organization’s warming action reflects a troubling reality of increasing youth homelessness in the community.<\/p>\n

WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n

Cold weather brings urgency and renewed focus on youth homelessness in Tallahassee<\/p>\n

“A lot of families are experiencing homelessness, causing youth to experience homelessness,” said CCYS Human Resources Director Lanekia Bennett said.<\/p>\n

“Homelessness can be couch surfing. A kid going from place to place. A kid going from relative to relative or a kid sleeping in their car can be considered homelessness.”<\/p>\n

The full scope of youth homelessness in the region won’t be clear until data from the 2026 Point in Time Count<\/a> is released.<\/p>\n

The Big Bend Continuum of Care manages that annual count, which provides a snapshot of homelessness on a specific night.<\/p>\n

In 2025, the count identified 667 total homeless persons in the region.<\/p>\n

Children made up 64 of that number while 41 were youth aged 18 to 24.<\/p>\n

However, Executive Director Johnna Coleman said the count doesn’t always capture the complete picture of homelessness as it only asks where people slept on one particular night.<\/p>\n

“It just doesn’t give us as realistic or actual numbers, so what we see is sometimes a slight increase or slight decrease and so we make sure we are doing the best job we can to touch everyone who is experiencing homelessness,” Coleman said.<\/p>\n

According to the National Network of Youth<\/a>, youth homelessness can lead to higher risks of chronic adult homelessness, poorer mental and physical health outcomes, and fewer opportunities to finish school and find employment.<\/p>\n

While the shelter provides temporary relief, CCYS is working toward long-term solutions, but the issue is complex.<\/p>\n

“The biggest thing we can do with homelessness is just kind of managing it, getting them resources, helping out families. I don’t think there is an immediate long-term solution,” Bennett said.<\/p>\n

Youth in need of shelter must arrive by 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

The organization also provides supplies, including food, tents, tarps, and counseling services.<\/p>\n

***This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.***<\/p>\n

Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n

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