Several communities across North Texas are seeing an increase in young people experiencing homelessness β including in Plano. While some children experience homelessness alongside their families, many young unhoused people are out on the street alone.
These are the young people that Plano's City House tries to help get off the street. The nonprofit, founded in , offers unhoused young people up to age 22 a home as well as services to equip them with skills they need to succeed.
Several school districts in North Texas said identified more students including homelessness, including Plano ISD, which identified 1, unhoused students last school year. In , the organization helped 1, youth experiencing homelessness. At the nonprofit's youth resource center, teenagers and young adults lounge on plastic lime green couches. It includes everything from basics like socks, underwear and pajamas to prom dresses and outfits suitable for interviews.
Sapphire Beverly, a case manager with City House's transitional living program, said all of the items in the clothing closet are donated new. The transitional living program, which serves young adults aged 18 to 21, lasts for 18 months and teaches basic life skills like how to balance a budget or get an oil change.
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Adithya Arjun said the program has made a difference in her life. The year-old lived in her car for over a month after her mom kicked her out. That was her first day of school at Collin College. Arjun found out about City House from a counselor at the community college.
