This journal article describes a study that examines risk and protective factors associated with experiencing homelessness in the year after youth age out of foster care. Using a state?level integrated administrative database, the researchers identified 1,202 emerging adults in Washington State who exited foster care between July 2010 and June 2012. They found that parenting youth, youth who had recently experienced housing instability, or who were African American had approximately twice the odds of experiencing homelessness in the year after exiting foster care. In addition, youth who had experienced disrupted adoptions, multiple foster care placements (especially in congregate care settings), or juvenile justice system involvement were more likely to become homeless. In contrast, youth were less likely to experience homelessness if they had ever been placed with a relative while in foster care or had a high cumulative grade point average relative to their peers. (author abstract modified)