This workshop paper describes a community technology center which is being developed for homeless young people aged 13-25 in Seattle, WA, U.S.A. The center seeks to strike a balance, offering young people, on the one hand, technology and knowledge for improved communication and interaction within the homeless community. On the other hand, it also seeks to equip young people with sensibilities and skills for stabilizing their situations and leaving homelessness. The design and development of the center has been shaped by seven ecological considerations, which are presented in a provisional framework, under three main categories: i) Societal forces; ii) Life on the street; and iii) Work in service programs. The framework should be helpful to designers who seek to develop socio-technical systems for homeless young people.