All research materials on street-involved youth published since 1990 were surveyed, including Web- and print-based resources from the academic community, the government sector, and community organizations. The focus was on Canadian sources but included American sources of particular relevance. A total of 211 publications were considered and are listed in the appendices. The report summarizes what is known about the background and gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, and family background of street-involved Canadian youth. The conditions and experiences of street life by these youth are reviewed, including issues of poverty, shelter, food, health, victimization, and racism. Research on street-involved youth has been highly localized, employing mainly case study research. A lack of large-scale research represents one of the gaps in the literature, along with gaps in specific subject matter. The main gaps identified in the literature review are enumerated, and include an analysis of antecedent family physical and sexual abuse; decisionmaking patterns concerning employment and money; an assessment of the shelters and housing options available to street-involved youth; an analysis of mental illness in street-involved youth; attitudes and beliefs of street-involved youth with regard to the available HIV/AIDS prevention programming; a needs analysis of street-involved youth in terms of housing, medical, and other services; identification of culturally-appropriate programming; an analysis of the reproductive health, attitudes, and beliefs of street-involved females; the formation of family units by street-involved youth as a coping mechanism; the role of racism in the experiences of street-involved youth; and an analysis of street-involved youth with disabilities. Finally, a meta-analysis of programmatic responses already in place for street-involved youth and a meta-analysis of methodologies used to gather information about street-involved youth are recommended. Appendices, bibliography