Housing and Support Interventions for Homeless Youth in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Interventions combining housing with support services have emerged as a preferred approach to support homeless youth, however their effectiveness remains uncertain. Method: This systematic review examined such interventions’ impact on outcomes for homeless youth (16–25) in high-income countries, identified their core components, assessed barriers and enablers to implementation, and documented outcome instruments used. We undertook a comprehensive search for studies using randomized or non-randomized designs with valid counterfactuals. Results were transformed into standardized effect sizes, and components were coded against Housing First principles. The exploration, preparation, implementation, sustainment framework guided implementation analysis. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria, all were from North America and exhibited non-ignorable risk of bias. Heterogeneity in outcome measurement and timing prevented quantitative synthesis. Discussion: While some individual results, most prominently short-term improvements in housing stability, favored the intervention, this evidence overall is insufficient to conclude that these interventions, or their components, are effective.