How To Apply For Apply For LGBT+ Homeless Assistance Programs – Years of research work and several studies have revealed that discrimination not only threatens homelessness but also the stability of communities. Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer– LGBTQ community are more likely to suffer from homelessness or endure the harassment and discrimination that eventually leads to homelessness. According to reports nearly 20% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ community members and for them, homelessness is one of the greatest threats that affects their overall well-being and safety.
LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ peers since they’re forced to run away or leave home due to family conflict and abuse. Fortunately, there are organizations and programs throughout the country that offer housing support to LGBTQ+ youth and prevent them from becoming unhoused. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you find national and state helplines, nonprofit organizations and shelters that help LGBTQ+ youth get a safe and supportive home in America.
Highlights of this Post
KeyTakeaway
- LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ peers.
- Family conflict and abuse are major reasons LGBTQ+ youth become homeless.
- Numerous national and local organizations offer safe havens and support services.
- Government programs provide housing vouchers and financial assistance.
- Mental health resources are available to address the challenges LGBTQ+ youth face.
LGBTQ+ Homelessness In America: Few Stats and Figures
LGBTQ+ teens and young adults face greater discrimination in form of homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and sexual abuse. As per Trevor Project studies nearly 25% of LGBTQ+ young adults have encountered housing instability due to family and immediate environments that have resulted in them living on the streets or in shelters.
LGBTQ+ homeless individuals face a wide array of problems like thoughts of suicide, depression and difficulty in finding housing, food and medical care. Most of them are at the risk of developing alcohol or drug addiction. It is also said that LGBTQ+ members are two or three times more likely to suffer from substance abuse than heterosexual people.
Following are some statistics that will show the hardship that LGBTQ+ teens and young adults have.
- 4.2 million individuals with 24 years of age in America experience homelessness every year
- LGBTQ teens experiencing homelessness are three times more likely to commit suicide than peers struggling with housing security or homeless
- 1/3 of transgender people have been homeless at some point as per True Colors United reports
- Approximately 36,000 people below 25 years of age were homeless in America on a single night in 2018 as per reports of True Colors United’s 2019 State Index on Youth Homelessness
- LGBTQ+ individuals are 9.5 times more likely to suffer from drug addiction than heterosexual peers
- LGBTQ+ members are two times more likely to die early compared to cisgender or heterosexual peers
Why Is The LGBTQ+ Community More At Risk Of Homelessness?
There is a higher percentage of LGBTQ+ members experiencing homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ+ people. They have to face greater hurdles in the form of discrimination, homelessness, higher risk for mental health conditions and difficulties within family relationships. A New York City survey revealed that nearly 78% of LGBTQ teens and youth ran away or were removed from their foster homes due to discrimination.
According to True Colors United, the main cause for homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth in America is family conflict over the sexual identities or gender of the young person. A lot of teens were forced to leave home or run away while some others were driven out of the house due to abuse or family poverty. Many have to leave foster care without a financial safety net which leads to homelessness.
You can also get more insights on our next guide about free motel vouchers from online for the homeless.
How To Prevent Homelessness In the LGBTQ+ Community?
One of the leading causes behind homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth is family conflict and abuse that begins at home. Faith-based organizations, communities and counselors can provide tons of resources and facilitate understanding between LGBTQ+ children and parents. Even in situations where parents are not sure how to support their children, case workers can have open conversations and make the living environment safer for LGBTQ+ kids or teens.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched a prevention initiative to encourage community stakeholders like social workers, teachers, young people and law enforcement officers to keep things off the street. LGBTQ+ teens face homelessness or housing insecurity even after inclusion and education efforts from the government and community organizations.
Post-home networks across the country offer a safe harbor for young adults who are between the ages of 18 to 24 by connecting them with the hosts for LGBTQ+ or belonging to the same community. The host offers a safe place to stay including emotional and mentorship support. You can find these homes throughout the country however in the below section of the guide we will provide you with a brief list of the organizations that connect LGBTQ+ members with the hosts.
In case you are unable to find a host program in your area of residence you can contact the National LGBTQ+ resource center or a local homeless shelter that can help you connect with the right resources.
What Are The Available Resources For LGBTQ+ People Who Are Navigating Homelessness?
LGBTQ+ people navigating homelessness face several barriers to obtaining the right care and services. Fortunately, there are homeless resources and programs in place that assist LGBTQ+ unhoused people. Following are the resources that can be of great help for LGBTQ people that will connect them with the appropriate help.
Government LGBTQ+ Homelessness Programs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development and many other federal agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the US Integrity Council on Homelessness support schemes to eliminate homelessness among LGBTQ and provide them with the right housing opportunities and shelter.
HUD administers several housing vouchers for the homeless so that LGBTQ members can acquire a decent living environment. A few of its resources include emergency solution grants or housing opportunities for persons with AIDS. If you’re not sure where to start, the HUD has an online Find Shelter tool that will help you to locate a nearby shelter. You just have to type in “LGBTQ+”in the keyword section while looking for a shelter.
National LGBTQ+ Homelessness Programs
Covenant House
An organization that provides resources for young individuals who are survivors of human trafficking or experiencing homelessness is a Covenant House. The organization comprises a directory of a variety of house shelters throughout the nation and this can be a good resource for LGBTQ+ people.
The National House For The Education Of Homeless Children And Youth
An excellent resource for LGBTQ+ people who are navigating homelessness is the National Association For The Education Of Homeless Children And Youth. This is an association that aims to ensure excellent education for the youth who are navigating homelessness. They also provide educational as well as financial resources for eligible homeless youth.
CentreLink
CentreLink is a popular international organization of LGBTQ organizations and centers that support the rights of the LGBTQ community. The organization offers a directory with a variety of LGBT community centers across the globe.
The Trevor Project
Trevor Project is an organization that offers assistance like suicide prevention crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth who are below 25 years of age.
A reliable and excellent place where LGBTQ youth and allies can explore helpful information and resources is the Trevor Support Center. No matter whether you are struggling with housing or looking for emotional and mental support, The Trevor Project can offer you help and guidance and will help you to figure out the next step.
The National Coalition For The Homeless
The National Coalition for the Homeless is another great resource for LGBTQ+ individuals who are going through homelessness. This is a network of individuals who are either at risk of becoming homeless or currently experiencing homelessness and are committed to helping individuals get out of this major issue.
LGBTQ+ individuals can use the National Coalition for the Homeless directory to find food pantries and shelters throughout the country. You can use the online searchable database to look for support organizations and shelters in your area.
National Center For Transgender Equality
The National Center For Transgender Equality offers extensive founded resources about healthcare issues for transgender including information on your legal rights in homeless shelters and housing situations.
The LGBT National Help Centre
LGBTQ+ members who are 25 years or below can contact the LGBT National Help Centre youth talk line where they can confidently talk with peers or locate support and local resources. Individuals who are 19 or below can participate in weekly youth chat rooms and build relationships with peers or locate emotional support to feel better.
True Colors United
A well-known organization that partners with communities to offer appropriate advocacy, training and collaboration including innovative solutions to address homelessness among youth, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities is True Colors United. You can resort to this organization if you are at the risk of homelessness.
National Safe Place
National Safe Place is an amazing youth outreach and prevention initiative that is designed to assist young individuals connect with designated organizations and businesses that are safe havens for them and can shelter them.
The Safe Place organization operates in 40 U.S. states and provides details on local libraries, businesses and nonprofit organizations that offer a safe shelter for LGBTQ+ youth. If you are in crisis or immediate danger you can text the safe word and your location to 4Help-44357 and you will get information on the safe place closest to you.
The National Runaway Safeline
A communication system called the National Runaway Safeline provides amazing resources for homeless and runaway youth including the LGBTQ+ community. They provide a list of helpful resources for the youth who are going through homelessness and need assistance.
You can contact 1800-RUNAWAY or chat or email through the Safeline website. You can also post questions on the online forum or ask for help for extra. You can message or call the National Runaway Safeline and have the Peace of Mind that your conversation will be confidential with the licensed specialist and will help you navigate the resources you need to get safe.
The National Network For Youth
The National Network For Youth is a well-known network of youth experiencing homelessness and community service providers who advocate for governmental support for securing resources to eliminate youth homelessness in the community. This network promotes policy changes to serve LGBTQ+ youth who are at the risk of becoming homeless.
Read our next guide on emergency rental assistance programs to get help with your needs.
Statewide/ Local LGBTQ+ Homelessness Programs
Larkin Street Youth Services
One of the largest nonprofit organizations Larkin Street Youth Services is located in San Francisco and empowers the youth who are going through homelessness and provides them with better education, employment, housing and healthcare resources. The nonprofit organization comes with plenty of drop-in centers including emergency shelters throughout San Francisco.
C2P Youth Center
C2P Youth Centre located in Halsted Chicago provides a confidential and safe living environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Chicago area who are navigating homelessness or looking for housing support. The staff of the center specializes in LGBTQ studies, social work, anthropology and sociology.
They help with housing, identity management, employment, and sexual health education. You can email, call or stop by the center located in Hallstead Chicago or speak to someone regarding the youth program. A few programs also comprise grab-and-go lunches or dinners on Wednesdays, individual case management daily and social groups on Fridays.
Ali Forney Centre New York
Ali Forney Center located in New York aims to protect homeless LGBTQ individuals while providing tons of resources that help them to attain self-sufficiency. The center provides emergency housing resources, a Harlem drop-in center and a 24/7 contact number for LGBTQ+ homeless youth.
The center provides housing stability, comprehensive services and support to enable LGBT homeless youth to get back on their feet. They also provide mental health services, physical health services, education, trans resources, transitional housing, job readiness and more programs.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is committed to serving LGBTQ+ community members through homeless shelters, helping with substance abuse, food insecurity, teenage suicide and job training programs.
They have homeless shelters, community supportive housing, transitional housing, reentry and many other resources to help people regardless of their race, competency, changes or sexual orientation.
The majority of LGBTQ+ homeless people are below 18 years of age. Moreover, 1/3 of transgender people have been rejected from emergency shelters and this is the reason why the Salvation Army in Southern Nevada provides shelter and safety to this group who is more vulnerable to assault.
New Alternatives
New Alternatives is a nonprofit organization that offers helpful resources for homeless LGBTQ+ people living in New York and provides them with counseling, life skill training, case management and better opportunities for self-expression.
My Friend’s Place
Another nonprofit organization that provides housing assistance and comprehensive resources for LGBTQ+ youth living in Los Angeles is My Friend’s Place. You can get a wide array of support here such as education assistance or crisis care, health resources, housing support and counseling.
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides a wide variety of services to benefit LGBTQ+ communities, particularly with social servicing, housing, leadership and advocacy, health, culture and education resources.
The center provides housing referrals, temporary housing, clothing, hot meals, showers, laundry services, HIV testing and counseling, educational programs, employment programs, addiction recovery services, art and music groups, recreation activities, computer labs, peer support groups and counseling.
Valley Youth House
Valley Youth House, which introduced its pride program in 2009 offers housing support to LGBTQ+ youth living in Philadelphia. This amazing program provides youth support and helps them overcome major barriers related to homelessness and housing problems.
Rainbow Lotus Program
Rainbow Lotus Program in Miami welcomes everyone in the LGBTQ+ community including youth, teens and adults. The program provides the homeless community with a sound, safe and nurturing living environment.
The organization provides a holistic approach to overall well-being in addition to supportive resources like shelters, clothing, meals, job readiness training, educational assistance and access to mental and physical healthcare treatment. On joining a support group you can enjoy field trips, psychosocial education, social activities and be linked to the community.
Gay City
The ultimate hub for needy LGBTQ individuals who are seeking wellness, resources and community in Seattle is the Gay City. They provide plenty of health resources like assistance, HIV/STI testing, making medical appointments, help with healthcare enrollment and many more resources.
Their online resource database includes a long list of organizations, agencies, and programs in the area to help with everything that you need. For instance, they have more than 10 resources in the Seattle area for housing assistance.
Additional Resources To Address The Mental And Physical Care For LGBTQ+ People
LGBTQ+ community members experience homelessness and several other challenges that affect their mental and physical health. Fortunately, there are mental health grants and resources available that enable them to connect with the appropriate care and services.
- The Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a National Helpline that offers confidential and free support for those navigating substance use or mental problems. You can contact 1-800-662-4357 if you’re looking for assistance. They also provide tons of helpful resources to assist LGBTQ+ members enroll in health insurance like the Affordable Care Act.
- Lambda Legal, one of the oldest national legal organizations, advocates for lesbian gay transgender and bisexual people including people living with HIV. This organization offers a variety of resources for LGBTQ+ youth including housing resources within each state.
- The IT Gets Better Project is another resource for LGBTQ+ youth across the globe that provides outreach programs through media and educational resources. This nonprofit organization also provides a directory of a variety of organizations that aim to support LGBTQ+ youth. It lists resources for assemblies and immigrants and is known for uplifting stories of hope from LGBTQ+ members.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a guide to assist LGBTQ+ people find physical and mental health providers who are well-equipped in LGBTQ healthcare.
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline is a confidential number where you can talk to a counsellor about where to find healthcare after an assault or sexual trauma and access mental health resources to help you cope better.
- Trans Employment Program offers career coaching, leadership workshop details on finding stable housing and guidance on your legal rights as an LGBTQ member in the workplace.
- The Matthew Shepard Foundation has been named after a young man who was killed for being gay. The foundation highlights the voices of LGBTQ+ members and advocates for inclusion and equality.
- Runaway & Homeless Youth Programs are federally funded initiatives that assist homeless youth and help them find basic needs centers across the country.
- LGBTQ+ members can call Trans Lifeline, the confidential hotline to speak with members of transgender community and seek assistance or find social services and supportive resources in their area.
Conclusion
The LGBTQ+ community faces a high risk of discrimination and homelessness, particularly for LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ+ people are more at risk for homelessness due to mental health conditions, discrimination and difficulties in family relationships. Fortunately, there are resources for housing, food, employment support, education and health services for LGBTQ+ members who are going through homelessness. We hope this article has been beneficial for every LGBTQ+ youth who can now access resources, obtain the appropriate care and can remain housed.
At Get Government Grants we understand how critical free resources and government programs are for low-income families. This is why we have listed supportive programs and community organizations that help people in times of need. Head to our blogs now to find supportive programs that suit your needs.
