Family conflict is the primary cause of homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth, which is disproportionately due to a lack of acceptance by family members of a youths sexual orientation or gender identity.
LGTBQ+ youth may experience discrimination, verbal abuse, and/or physical abuse within their family homes, leading them to seek refuge elsewhere.
LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness often have a history of foster care. Many LGBTQ+ youth age out of foster care without a stable support system.
Unhoused LGBTQ+ youth are often encountering discrimination and danger in traditional housing options. Without affirming spaces, many are left to violence, exploitation, and instability.
Researches have reccomended federal funding for family counseling to reuinfy LGBTQ+ youth with their parents. Congress has failed in its attempts to pass such legislation.
Transgender youth experience higher rates of depression and suicidality. Private health insurance does not always cover the associated costs, leaving transgender persons to rely on black-market hormones or treatment from dishonest practioners.
Successful models include independent-living facilities, transitional-living programs, and supportive housing. They integrate on-site housing, clinical, educational, employment, health, legal, and social services specific to queer youth.
Service providers are often unprepared to serve LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth services recognize differential origins of life challenges and their influence on queer youth’s developing identity while aiming to promote health identity development.
LGBTQ+ youth commonly feel typical homeless shelters to be unsafe and disrespectul. Key elements of training include: understanding LGBTQ+ Identities, intersectionality, addressing bias and prejudice, resource navigation, and advocacy.