This wide-ranging book analyzes and explains the problem of youth homelessness in the Western world. Taking into account psychological characteristics while highlighting the major risk factors in the family, at school, and in society at large, the authors offer both practitioners and policymakers the tools to help deal with all aspects of this problem. Homeless Youth offers a clear, conceptual and theoretical framework that defines the phenomenon of homelessness and draws on data from across Europe and North America to establish its scope and prevalence among youth today. It also provides a thorough and comprehensive strategy where prevention and intervention go hand in hand. Homeless Youth will be an invaluable resource for all those working to tackle this difficult problem from many perspectives including psychology, psychiatry, social work, and social policy.