Pride Month is a celebration of love and staying true to your unique self. It is about acceptance, equality and raising awareness of issues that affect the LGBTQIA+ community.

Did you know that LGBTQIA+ youth disproportionately experience homelessness? 

National research has shown that between 20 and 40% of youth experiencing homelessness also identify as LGBTQIA+[CBV1] . Stigma and bias, negative community and family reactions, lack of awareness about youth homelessness, and challenges youth experience when exiting the foster care or justice system are all factors that contribute to LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness, with family rejection being cited most often. The issue of homelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth shows the realities of intersectional marginalization. Youth who identify as both LGBTQIA+ and black or multiracial have the highest rates of homelessness.

Reports have found that LGBTQIA+ youth are twice as likely to experience homelessness compared to their non-LGBTQIA+ peers. Many youths may not self-identify as being LGBTQIA+ when initially presenting for services because they fear discrimination.

How are we helping?

Overcoming homelessness presents barriers for anyone, but the lack of services and outreach geared to youth and young adults can make it even harder for them. Because of this, our Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) was created to support The Way Home and reduce the number of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness through the implementation of a Coordinated Community Plan (CCP). 

This plan was created after our community and its stakeholders were asked by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use our unique perspectives to set a strategic framework that would help prevent and end youth homelessness. The YHDP is led by the Youth Action Board (YAB) made up of youth and young adults with lived experience who provide strategic oversight to all activities connected with the program.

Under the plan, the YHDP, its stakeholders and the YAB have agreed to a set of shared values that reflect our community’s priorities. Under the guiding principles of equity and inclusion, our community ensures that no youth will be discriminated against based on race, gender, gender identity or ethnicity.

Since February 2023, we served more than 150 youth and young adults with more than 20 of them reporting they are LGBTQIA+ under the YHDP program.

We are proud to celebrate Pride Month and are committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness, eliminating barriers, and improving services to better support LGBTQIA+ youth.