By Courtney Cooperman, NLIHC
All LGBTQ+ people deserve to be accepted and embraced for their authentic selves, and no one should ever be forced to sacrifice their housing stability for the freedom to live proudly in their own identity. Many LGBTQ+ youth, however, are confronted with this tradeoff when they come out. According to the National Network for Youth, LGBTQ+ youth are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender and heterosexual peers. Up to 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, and a disproportionate share are youth of color. More than half of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness have faced family rejection—some are directly forced out of their homes, while others choose to flee unsafe environments rather than endure the trauma of constant homophobic or transphobic treatment.
LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately likely to enter into the juvenile justice system, which puts them at even greater risk of housing discrimination, and are often treated poorly in the foster care system, with minimal support to find housing once they exit from foster care. LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are also three times likelier to be victims of physical or sexual assault than their cisgender and heterosexual peers.
To address the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face, it is critical for homeless services and housing providers to create supportive and affirming environments. Programs that serve youth experiencing homelessness should ensure that their staff are nondiscriminatory, welcoming, and culturally competent. Mental health services, mentorship for LGBTQ+ youth, and other specialized resources can provide the support and positive affirmation that many LGBTQ+ youth may not receive from their families.
As part of the Biden administration’s overall strategy to end and prevent homelessness, HUD launched a new LGBTQI+ Youth Homelessness Initiative in June 2023. Through this initiative, HUD will partner with local communities, service providers, and directly affected youth to address barriers to shelter and housing access. HUD will encourage communities to implement innovative solutions that specifically meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability. The initiative will include listening sessions with LGBTQI+ youth across the country, technical assistance for shelter and service providers, trainings for providers committed to improving their care for LGBTQI+ youth, and a suite of resources to promote best practices for serving LGBTQI+ youth and to ensure that directly affected youth are aware of their rights.
Unfortunately, chronic underfunding of HUD’s housing and homelessness programs limits the capacity of homeless services providers to help all LGBTQ+ youth in need of support. Full funding for housing and homelessness programs—including those that provide housing subsidies and resources specifically for youth experiencing homelessness—must be expanded to meet the scale of the need.
If you are an LGBTQ+ teen or young adult experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, or if you know someone in need of support, the following organizations may connect you to the appropriate resources:
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The Trevor Project offers a national 24-hour, toll-free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth. Individuals can call 1-866-488-7386 to reach a counselor or text “START” to 678-678. The Trevor Project also compiles a directory of resources for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/resources-for-lgbtq-… |
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The Ali Forney Center is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. The organization provides direct services in New York City and compiles a list of organizations offering services in other areas of the country: https://www.aliforneycenter.org/get-help |
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True Colors United is a national leader in developing and implementing innovative solutions to LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. Although the organization does not provide direct services, it maintains a directory of resources: https://truecolorsunited.org/support/ |