streetinvolved

Streetinvolved is a descriptive term used in social services, public health, and youth work to refer to people who spend significant time in streets or street-adjacent environments or whose daily activities are closely tied to street life. It is not a diagnosis and does not specify a single condition; rather, it denotes housing precarity and a set of experiences that may include street-based survival activities, informal economies, or frequent movement between shelter, temporary housing, or other non-permanent arrangements. The term is often applied to youth but can also describe adults who are connected to street life.

Street-involvement can be a risk factor for adverse outcomes, including exposure to violence, exploitation, substance use, or barriers to accessing education, health care, and stable housing. It also intersects with issues such as poverty, family conflict, and mental health. Services and policies that address street-involved individuals typically focus on housing-first approaches, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and facilitating access to education, health care, and social supports, rather than punitive measures.

Usage and critique: The term is widely used in Canada and the United States and in youth-focused research and programs. Critics argue that it can be vague or stigmatizing and may obscure individuals' autonomy or self-identification. Best practice emphasizes person-centered language, asking for individuals' preferred descriptors, and tailoring interventions to needs and goals.

Related terms include homelessness, housing instability, unsheltered status, and street youth.