Representatives from local and national organizations will gather today to discuss the most prevalent issues facing Whidbey’s homeless young people, and what can be done to address the issue.

The Whidbey Island Homeless Youth Task Force Forum is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

Last fall, Ryan’s House for Youth, the SPIN Cafe and homeless liaisons for Whidbey schools cooperated to establish the task force, which facilitates bi-monthly meetings at which homeless young people can share their stories, express their concerns and discuss their greatest needs.

Ryan’s House for Youth, the island’s homeless youth advocacy organization, and Vivian Rogers-Decker, homeless liaison for the Oak Harbor School District, received a two-year grant from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth in the amount of $3,000 annually.

The grant funds costs such as transportation of youth to and from the meetings, and food for attending youth.

According to estimates from Ryan’s House for Youth founder and executive director Lori Cavender and Rogers-Decker, a few hundred young people on Whidbey lack permanent housing, with some lacking shelter entirely.

In January, service providers and school liaisons conducted a community perception survey for community members ages 25 and older, and a youth perception survey for young people ages 12-24.

The youth survey asked questions regarding where the survey-taker has slept within the past year, and whether they were accompanied by a parent or were unaccompanied. It also asked survey-takers to specify their general needs, such as transportation, hygiene supplies, safe and stable housing, or a supportive adult guardian.

During the forum Wednesday, findings from the surveys will be discussed.

The forum will also feature speakers representing local and national organizations, who will talk about the value of homeless youth task forces and what homeless youth need in order to be successful.