LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Resources
A few years ago there were very few resources, studies, or guidelines addressing the issue of LGBTQ youth homelessness. Things are beginning to change. USICH has compiled a list of online resources that address the statistics, best practices, and networks that are available to help youth in need.
Click Here to View the List
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LGBTQ Youth Homelessness
Twenty to forty percent of homeless youth in America self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ). LGBTQ youth make up a unique population who often face many of the same difficulties related to a history of rejection and abuse. LGBTQ youth either runaway or are forced out of their homes and families by severe conflict, abuse, neglect, poverty, and mental health or physical disabilities. Once they are homeless, LGBTQ youth face an increased risk of sexual abuse and exploitation. There is a higher incidence of depression, suicide initiations, and other mental health disorders among LGBTQ youth, and chronic physical health conditions are common as are high rates of substance abuse disorders. Yet, in spite of the numbers, if you've ever had the opportunity to hang out with LGBTQ youth in a drop in center or elsewhere, you know they are energetic, funny, and thoughtful. They have the same hopes and dreams of any teenager. LGBTQ youth homelessness has been studied more substantially in recent years and we have included a list of resources that address statistics, best practices, and networks available to help homeless LGBTQ youth. We interviewed the Director of the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress Jeff Krehely. He provides valuable expert background information about the breadth of the problem and its solutions. We also profile two model programs that serve the LGBTQ youth population: the Ali Forney Center in New York City and the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit. The directors of these programs provide tips and lessons learned on how service providers can meet the needs of this population. There is more we can and should do to help these young people to safety. Opening Doors: the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness sets the goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020 and lays out a plan that relies on collaboration between nineteen federal agencies, state and local governments, service providers, donors, and other partners on the ground. In collaboration with the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, USICH will draft a framework to address the housing and service needs of youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness. This group will also examine ways that Federal agencies can better collaborate and allow better access to existing resources for those most at risk, including LGBTQ youth. - Read more
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 A Conversation with the Director of the LGBT Research and Communication Project at the Center for American Progress Jeff Krehely
Jeff Krehely was able to take time out to discuss this issue with USICH staff. He shared valuable background information on the state of LGBTQ youth homelessness in America and specific steps we can take to make things better for these youth.
- Read the Interview
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Model Program Profiles: Lessons Learned on the Ground Serving LGBTQ Youth
The Ali Forney Program in New York City and the Ruth Ellis Center have years of experience meeting the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth. Program Directors Carl Siciliano and Laura Hughes share practical advice on providing  services to this population.
- Read the program profiles and guidance
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HUD, VA and USICH Leaders Volunteer During DC's Point in Time Count
Demonstrating their commitment to accurate reporting of people experiencing homelessness, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Scott Gould, and USICH Executive Director Barbara Poppe joined volunteers around the country in the annual Point in Time (PIT) count. Data gathered from the "Point in Time" counts will be used to effectively allocate funding to HUD's programs and grantees, as well as measure the nation's progress on Opening Doors - the federal plan to end homelessness.
- Read the interagency press release
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President Obama Affirms His Commitment to Ending Veterans Homelessness
On January 23rd, the President, First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden spoke to military families about the combined Federal initiative to support military families. "Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment," outlines nearly 50 commitments from the Administration to support these families and all Veterans. He boldly reaffirmed his commitment to ending Veterans homelessness by 2015 with a collaborative approach: "We're going to remain relentless-not just at the VA, but at HUD, HHS and across the government-in our fight to end homelessness among our veterans."
- More from the event
- First Lady Michelle Obama's appearance on The Oprah
Winfrey Show highlights this initiative
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GAO Meeting on the Benefits of a Common Vocabulary for Addressing Homelessness
 On January 26th, USICH hosted a day-long meeting at HUD with representatives from federal agencies, Congress, researchers, advocacy groups, local providers and education liaisons, and people who have experienced homelessness for the Common Vocabulary on Homelessness Forum.
The purpose of the meeting was to fulfill a Congressional request to review recommendations from the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) report "Homelessness: A Common Vocabulary Could Help Agencies Collaborate and Collect More Consistent Data" released in June 2010. These recommendations also align with one of the strategies in Opening Doors to assess the feasibility of implementing a common data standard on housing stability across federal targeted homeless and mainstream programs.
Participants gathered in diverse small groups to discuss what their respective organizations could gain from having a common vocabulary to describe the varying circumstances of homelessness as well as their concerns. At the end of the day everyone came together to brainstorm what implementing a common data standard would entail. The forum closed with a sense of excitement and momentum about the possibility of adopting a common vocabulary and data standard to describe and track homelessness. This spring, USICH will deliver a full summary of this meeting to Congress and the public. |
Featured Webinars
A Novel Approach to Increasing Access to Mainstream Assistance Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness
On Wednesday, February 23, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is hosting a webinar to present information and field questions on the importance of increasing access to mainstream benefit assistance programs for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Executive Director Barbara Poppe will present an overview derived from Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness that calls for increased access to assistance. Members of the Ohio Benefit Bank will share lessons learned in using an online expert service to lower barriers to mainstream resources on the ground in Ohio. The webinar will take place at 3PM EST and will be interactive.
- Register for the webinar now
Health Care Reform
An Overview for Healthcare for the Homeless Grantees, presented by the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council January 21, 2011.
- Listen to the webinar |
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Council Member Agency Updates
Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD awards $1.4 billion to Continuums of Care across the country
On January 19, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan awarded the 2010 Continuum of Care grants that fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The renewal grants total $1.411 billion and will keep nearly 7,000 local homeless assistance programs around the country operating in the coming year. These programs form a critical foundation in the Obama Administration's Opening Doors, the first comprehensive plan to end homelessness.
- Read a summary of all grants awarded
Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
In partnership with the Center for Social Innovation, the Homelessness Resource Center conducted a webinar "Promoting a Healthy Work Environment in Homeless Services: What Works." This webinar focused on strategies for inclusive learning, self-care, identifying organizational core values, and integrating consumers in a trauma-informed work environment like homeless services.
- Listen to the webinar
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Date that Drives Home: LGBT Youth Homelessness
The Population:
Violence and Abuse:
 
Rejection and Suicide:
62% of homeless LGBT youth attempt suicide
LGBT youth who are rejected by their families in adolescence are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide.
All data and graphics are from The Center for American Progress' report and accompanying materials On the Streets: The Federal Response to Gay and Transgendered Homelessness For original citations please visit this summary page.
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USICH Mission
. . . to coordinate the federal response to homelessness and to create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government in contributing to the end of homelessness.
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