National Association of Counties Appoints Task Force on Youth Housing and Homelessness

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Counties (NACo) today announced the appointments of 22 county officials to our newly formed Youth Housing and Homelessness Task Force. The group will examine how counties support young people facing homelessness and housing instability and how to strengthen that work through local government action, public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaboration.

More than 4.2 million young people and young adults experience homelessness in the U.S. each year, including 1 in 30 youth ages 13 to 17. Counties, which administer many of the services youth rely on, are well positioned to connect them to help.

“During my decades of public service, I have seen firsthand the multifaceted evolving challenges facing our youth,” said NACo President George Dunlap. “What I have learned over the years in my engagement with NACo and our members is that the challenges that communities face, when it comes to providing our youth with real opportunities, are not limited to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Through this task force, we will have a unique chance to diagnose emerging concerns and align proven strategies, especially as it pertains to addressing youth housing instability and homelessness. I know our greatest resource in this work will be each other."

Young people facing homelessness may interact with a range of county services, from child welfare, juvenile justice and behavioral health to workforce development, emergency services and community programs. At critical points, such as when a young person transitions out of foster care, counties can bring together the people and resources that a young person needs to stay housed.

The task force will convene from October 2026 through July 2027. Its members, 22 county elected and appointed officials from across the country, will examine the scope of the challenge, highlight promising county approaches and develop insights other county leaders can act on.

For more information about NACo’s Youth Housing and Homelessness Task Force, and to learn how county officials, practitioners, researchers, philanthropy and community partners who are not task force members can engage as Friends of the Task Force, click here.