COLUMBUS, Ohio — As rent prices continue to climb and support systems become increasingly strained, more young people in Columbus are finding themselves without a safe place to sleep.
What You Need To Know
- Rising housing costs and a lack of support systems are pushing more young people into homelessness
- Star House offers 24/7 access to food, shelter, health care and job resources for youth ages 14 to 24
- The center helped Jay Kerr find stability, get clean, and start giving back by building homes for others
Jay Kerr was one of them. After leaving a troubled home at 19, he spent years couch surfing and sometimes sleeping under bridges. Through it all, he turned to art as a coping tool.
“Art was always something I used to cope and deal with stress,” Kerr said.
Eventually, Kerr found support through Star House, a 24/7 drop-in center that serves youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. It’s the only program of its kind in central Ohio.
Star House CEO Ann Bischoff said the need has grown dramatically in recent years.
“The number one reason is disconnection from family. Half were in foster care at some point,” Bischoff said. “Others are running from horrific abuse. And there’s simply not enough housing to go around.”
Bischoff calls it a perfect storm—rising housing costs, limited affordable options, and dwindling resources for nonprofits. Star House served more than 1,600 individuals last year, nearly double the number from just two years ago.
The organization offers more than just shelter. Youth can access food, clothing, mental health care and connections to jobs, education and case management—all under one roof.
“All the things they need, not just to get housing, but to keep it long term,” Bischoff said.
Today, Kerr is more than a year clean. He has stable housing, is raising a daughter, and helps build homes through Habitat for Humanity.
“There was a time I didn’t think I’d make it here,” he said. “I don’t take any of it for granted.”
