This study was commissioned by Calgary's Youth Alternative Housing Committee (YAHC), a consortium of agencies concerned about the issue of homelessness among youth. YAHC's initial interest centered on young people in conflict with the law, but it expanded to include the housing and accommodation needs of all young people who lack a stable residence, with a focus on those without child welfare status. Preliminary investigation by YAHC of the scope and depth of the problem revealed a serious lack of services for youth without child welfare status and for all homeless youth between the ages of 18 and 24.