A problem no one should ignore:JULIAN CASTRO unloads to Salon on GAY RIGHTS, HOMELESSNESS & AMERICA

[appalachiablue]

11. All of it is appalling, the poor kids, foreclosed families with so many empty, vacant properties

now, and the huge number of Veterans all over, even from Vietnam still waiting in Arlington, and Northern VA in the shadow of the capital. I was pleased to read of Pres. Obama's initiative for ending homelessness by 2020 in this article and the other post here today calling attention to women Veterans who lack housing. What an indication of a society's values, in these times.
Reading about the circumstances of young LGBT is so disturbing, kids at that age on the streets prey to drugs, crime and prostitution as you say, it's criminal. Children that age are defenseless, with no resources, the brain's pre-frontal cortex for decision making doesn't fully develop until age 26 or later. How very sad, and many of the young commit suicide from isolation, loneliness, depression and from being outcasts who are bullied. The suicide rate is quite high. The rate for Veterans is 22 per day I understand. Much needs to be done, especially in a country so rich, obviously. We can hope.