Hi, Nicole. There is a fairly current overview paper at http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaway-youth.aspx#3 with links to some of the best data sets available, but I'm not sure this is going to answer your question in detail because accurate statistics of such a hidden population is really hard to find.

The other issue as to do with the way that income generating activities are so closely linked to social networks. That which is acceptable in south Chicago is probably different from that which is acceptable in El Paso. My article on Exploring Fringe Economic Behaviors (available on RG) will give you a description of my thoughts on this topic. It is based on ethnographic research of the economic rules in four different communities.

Hi,

Here is s paper examining the phenomenon of street enterprises in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It shows that, these street enterprises provide employment for many poor people. This however is far from alleviating poverty and its correlates of unemployment, illiteracy, disease, hunger, poor health, high infant mortality, social exclusion and poor housing conditions.