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Jasmine was 24 when she drove nearly 18 hours from Indiana to Houston, Texas, everything she owned tucked into a couple of suitcases. Her car became her stability—her one constant as she tried to rebuild in a city she chose for a fresh start.

Houston didn’t make it easy. The job market didn’t match the wage she needed to keep up with rent and bills. After an eviction, she stayed with family in Indiana, saved up, bought a car, and returned to Houston determined to work (even picking up DoorDash to stay afloat).

Then Houston’s reality got even harsher: her car was stolen at gunpoint.

“That was it,” she said. “I was actually on the streets of Houston.”

Jasmine did what many young people experiencing youth homelessness in Houston do—she looked for help, fast. She came to us at Covenant House Texas, a low-barrier space near Downtown Houston built for young adults ages 18–24. Here, the goal isn’t just a bed. It’s safety, basic needs, and a clear plan: case managers help with vital documents, health care access, education, and job coaching—everything it takes to prevent homelessness from becoming a permanent identity.

For Jasmine, the environment mattered. “I don’t feel like I’m in a homeless shelter,” she said. “The environment is on my side.”

Despite a period of challenge and unsheltered living, Jasmine has flourished in her new role as administrative assistant and receptionist at Covenant House Texas. She is also currently enrolled in Houston City College and is pursuing a career in Business and Economic Development.

Houston’s youth homelessness crisis is real—3,325 people were homeless in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties on a single night in January 2025. Behind that number are young people like Jasmine: resilient, resourceful, and deserving of a safe place to rebuild.

Help Turn Crisis Into Comebacks

Covenant House Texas is working every day to create safety, stability, and prevention for youth facing homelessness in Houston, TX—but we can’t do it without community support.

Donate, partner, or volunteer today. Your urgency creates a path off the streets, keeps young people safe, and helps prevent homelessness from defining another life.

Works Cited:
Sinha, Tannistha. “Without Shelter: How Houston Youth Navigate Housing.” Defender Network, 10 Feb. 2026, https://defendernetwork.com/news/local-state/houston-homelessness-youth-covenant/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.