Blog
Housing Assistance Options for LGBTQ+ Youth
June is Pride Month, and Architectural Digest wants to provide additional housing assistance resources for LGBTQ+ youth and their supporters.
Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth face more than double the risk of experiencing homelessness. The youth are often disproportionately affected by homelessness due to discrimination or rejection from family members and others.
To help address this issue, they have created a guide to ensure LGBTQ+ youth have access to resources for safe and supportive housing, regardless of their identity or circumstances.
LGBTQ+ youth can face numerous difficulties in finding safe and secure housing. Fortunately, many local and national organizations offer support.
National Organizations
The list below was provided by Architectural Digest
National Runaway Safeline
The National Runaway Safeline is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth across the United States who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness. The organization strives to ensure everyone has a safe place to be heard by providing a 24/7 crisis hotline, emotional support, and referrals to resources.
Point Source Youth
Point Source Youth strives to end youth experiencing homelessness, with a particular emphasis on helping LGBTQ+ individuals. Headquartered in New York City, its mission is to ensure vulnerable youths have safe places to stay and access to the resources they need. The organization provides services such as host homes and direct cash transfers as well as virtual training, technical assistance with program funding, and advocacy and community support.
Safe Place
Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program offering refuge to young people in need. It has locations across the country that serve as sanctuary sites and gives teens access to vital resources whether they identify as LGBTQ+ or not.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an invaluable resource for LGBTQ+ youth, not only providing suicide prevention and crisis intervention services but also helping those seeking housing assistance across the country.
True Colors United
True Colors United is dedicated to preventing youth from becoming unhoused and providing support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Established in New York, it advocates for policy changes at both local and national levels and offers free training and resources to unhoused youth service providers to ensure inclusive spaces.
Local Organizations
Ali Forney Center (New York City)
The Ali Forney Center provides a welcoming shelter and resources to unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. The center strives to empower its community with essential support systems necessary to bring positive change.
Larkin Street Youth Services (San Francisco)
Larkin Street Youth Services has been transforming the lives of unhoused and at-risk youth in San Francisco for more than 30 years. Providing housing, education, employment, and health services, this organization gives young people the support they need to overcome adversity and build better futures.
Los Angeles LGBT Center (Los Angeles)
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is dedicated to providing LGBTQ+ youth with secure housing options. It offers emergency shelter, transitional living programs, and supportive housing in an atmosphere that celebrates identity while enabling growth and independence.
Lost-n-Found Youth (Atlanta)
Lost-n-Found Youth in Atlanta strives to help unhoused LGBTQ+ youth get the necessary services and housing. The organization provides counseling and other vital support so that every young person can live safely and independently.
Montrose Grace Place (Houston)
Montrose Grace Place offers emergency shelter and meals to Houston’s unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. The organization also promotes well-being by connecting LGBTQ+ youth to mentors and programs that aid in access to permanent housing, stable employment, mental and physical healthcare, educational opportunities, and more.
Ruth Ellis Center (Detroit)
The Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit provides a haven for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused. Through its residential and support services, this organization helps give young people the resources they need to find stability and build meaningful lives.
SMYAL (Washington, D.C.)
SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) is dedicated to creating a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth in the Washington, D.C., area. The organization provides housing programs, leadership development opportunities, and support services to give young people hope for their futures.
The Attic Youth Center (Philadelphia)
The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia is dedicated to giving LGBTQ+ youth the help they need. The center offers housing aid, educational guidance, and mental health counseling.
The Night Ministry (Chicago)
The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization dedicated to helping unhoused youth, particularly members of LGBTQ+ communities. Its youth housing programs provide outreach and shelter while offering support services.
Time Out Youth Center (Charlotte)
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Time Out Youth Center is a dedicated place of support for LGBTQ+ youth. The center provides tailored services aimed at helping those struggling with their identity or who find themselves without shelter, providing emergency housing, transitional living programs, and more.
For more information, please visit Architectural Digest.