Discrimination in public space of youth experiencing homelessness: by police, businesses, and community

Public space is central in the lives of young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH), where navigation is vitalto access resources needed for rest and daily thriving. Yet, these spaces are also sites of social and institutional exclusion. This study examines how YAEH experience discrimination in public space through interactions with three key actors: police, local businesses, and community members. Survey data were collected from 222 YAEH aged 18–25 recruited from drop-in centers in Los Angeles. A modified version of Williams’ Everyday Discrimination Scale was adapted to reflect the unique forms of discrimination YAEH face. Study results show 73% of participants reported discrimination from police, 48% from businesses, and 50% from community members. Discrimination reports were more likely among YAEH with longer durations of homelessness, who received discrimination from all three measured domains: police, local businesses, and community. Those identifying as LGBTQ + were more likely to report discrimination from local businesses and community, and YAEH identifying as Mixed Race reported elevated discrimination from community members. Understanding these dynamics of amplified risk for discrimination is critical to designing interventions and policies that reduce harm in the public spaces YAEH rely on for their basic survival.