The Justice Center at the University of Alaska developed and administered an interview schedule to 18 Homer youths who were either currently homeless or had been homeless in the past. The interview solicited information on demographic characteristics, housing history, alcohol and drug use, income, daily activities, health, legal and safety issues, other youths in Homer, and opinions regarding services. The study's goals were to determine the needs of homeless youths and assess the extent to which these needs were being addressed. Overall, it was clear that many youths became homeless initially because of problems at home, mostly related to verbal abuse and an inability or unwillingness to follow parental rules. For these youths, family counseling was the most important resource in addressing their homelessness. The need for family counseling, however, assumed less importance as homelessness extended over time until a return home was no longer a reasonable solution. Such a condition of homelessness placed employment assistance as a top priority, since unemployment was revealed as the most significant barrier to acquiring permanent housing when returning home was no longer an option. Homeless youth also expressed a need for drug and alcohol programming and recreational opportunities. All but two youths had used alcohol in the past; all but three had used cigarettes; and all but two had used marijuana. The majority had started using alcohol and marijuana before becoming homeless.