Housing Insecurity for LGBTQ Youth
40% of youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ.
Around 40% of youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ. Many families reject their LGBTQ youth and/or force them out of home. This is why LGBTQ youth are more likely to enter a group or foster home than their non-LGBTQ peers.
I wish this wasn’t actually how the end of my shift went today.
Challenges in Finding Alternative Housing
LGBTQ youth may experience discrimination when seeking alternative housing. Federal programs are not designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ homeless youth. LGBTQ homeless youth are also not protected from discrimination while accessing federally funded services. Gaps in safety net programs* or barriers to getting work may also make it harder for LGBTQ youth to access food. [source]
How You Can Help
You can help LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness in your own community by volunteering at a shelter or LGBTQ community center or organizing a food drive. Find out where to start below.
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*Safety net programs serve people who experience poverty, lack of insurance, or homelessness, or discrimination. Examples include Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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Key Stats
29% of LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away. [source]
19% of LGBTQ youth said that they were hungry in the past month but didn’t eat because they or their family didn’t have enough food. [source]
- More than one-quarter of LGBTQ youth experienced food insecurity in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth. [source]
Take Action Now
Explore Related Action Area
Continue your engagement by learning more about and taking action on related issues.
LGBTQ Health & Well-being
How discrimination, housing insecurity, and non-gender-affirming care impact mental health.
Anti-LGBTQ Policies and Laws
Even just within the past year, most LGBTQ youth have faced discrimination.
Banning Conversion Therapy
Conversion therapy is dangerous, discredited, and ineffective.
Housing Insecurity for LGBTQ Youth
40% of youth who experience homelessness identify as LGBTQ.
Gender-Affirming Care
Only 36% of LGBTQ youth who have wanted mental health care have received it.
