This pipeline to homelessness has existed for decades in the U.S. Designed to get youth through childhood, the foster care system does very little to sustain a future for these youth. Youth aging out of the foster care system, however, rarely have any resources or support at all. Combined with other risk factors, this means foster youth often transition directly into homelessness. About 26,000 young people age out of the foster care system every year. Statistics show a large percentage of these youth will become homeless. By better understanding the factors causing foster youth to become homeless, we can prevent this outcome and better helping those who are already on the streets.