When You Live Near Prosper, You Don’t Expect to See Homelessness, but It’s Real

You might drive past sleek subdivisions, shiny schools, and growing business districts in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, and Prosper and never imagine that right beneath the surface, vulnerability and need are closer than you think. But the numbers tell a different story.

Homelessness Isn’t Only in Big Cities

On a single night in January 2024, 3,718 people were experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties, according to the Housing Forward / All Neighbors Coalition State of Homelessness Report. To put that into perspective, that’s enough people to fill every seat in the Allen Event Center, and then some.

While overall homelessness decreased by 19 percent since 2021, youth homelessness actually rose by 18 percent. Among the total count, 130 were unaccompanied youth, meaning children and teens with no caregiver or parental support. That is the equivalent of an entire grade level at a North Texas middle school.

In Dallas County, nearly 40 percent of adults facing homelessness live with serious mental illness (Well Community). That’s not just a statistic; it is thousands of individuals battling both instability and health challenges without consistent help.

The Job Market Isn’t Giving Young People a Break

The labor market for youth tells another story of struggle. In July 2025, only 53.1 percent of young people ages 16 to 24 were employed, and the youth unemployment rate rose to 10.8 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Think of it this way: in a group of ten young adults you might meet in Frisco or McKinney, at least one of them is looking for work but can’t find it.

Even recent college graduates are struggling. In 2025, unemployment for graduates ages 22–27 reached its highest level in more than a decade, surpassing the general unemployment rate (Associated Press). That means even the young people who did “everything right”, applied to college, earned their degree, stayed the course, yet are hitting walls when trying to begin their careers.

Why This Matters in North Texas

When you zoom in on Collin and Denton Counties, the picture sharpens:

• Youth without stable housing might be sitting next to your child in class, yet going home to a car or a friend’s couch.

• A graduating senior in Prosper might have the grades and motivation, but still cannot land an entry-level job in a squeezed market.

• Families who appear to be thriving in Allen may quietly be choosing between rent and groceries.

The prosperity of our region hides the fact that many children, teens, and young adults are living one step away from crisis.

Be Part of the Shift

If you are a youth or young adult in North Texas, know this: you belong here. You do not have to walk through the weight of your struggles or the uncertainty of your future alone. At Level Up Collective, you will find mentors, opportunities, and a community that sees you and believes in you.

If you are someone considering mentorship, volunteering, or sponsorship, your presence carries the power to shift the direction of an entire life. Sometimes all it takes is one consistent voice saying “I believe in you” for a young person to find the courage to rise. You could be that voice.

If you are a donor or a community partner, your generosity builds more than programs. It builds futures right here at home, in the very neighborhoods where the need is often hidden behind success and prosperity. Every gift is an investment in hope, in opportunity, and in the breaking of cycles that hold young people back.