In the next legislative session, beginning January 2008, Indiana representatives will address the plight of the state's young homeless population. Their first step: determine how many young people are currently living on the streets.

"'We know they exist, because they are showing up at our doors, and they're calling us,' said Cheryl Hall-Russell, chief executive officer of the Indiana Youth Services Association. But estimates of runaway and homeless youths in Indiana vary widely, from 10,000 to three times that many."

Proposals expected to be introduced in the 2008 legislative session would make the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority responsible for making more shelters and services available to homeless youth. Other proposals would relax rules governing age restrictions and notifications of guardians when young people seek help at shelters.

Labels: homelessness, legislation