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## Other Youth Topics

## Breadcrumb

            -  Youth Topics 
            -           LGBTQ+      

# LGBTQ+

On any given night in 2020 there were approximately 34,000 people under the age of 25 who experienced homelessness as an unaccompanied minor.1 LGBTQ+ youth are at greater risk for experiencing homelessness and represent up to 40 percent of the youth homeless population due to factors like family rejection and abuse, and discrimination. Although studies on the percentage of homeless youth who are LGBTQ+ vary, analyses suggest that approximately 20 to 40 percent of these youth identify as a sexual or gender minority. Current studies, as well as anecdotal evidence from social service professionals, suggest that LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented in homeless populations, with a recent study finding that LGBTQ+ young adults experience homelessness at more than twice the rate of their peers.2

In shelters, searching for housing, and on the streets, these youth may endure traumatic experiences, such as harassment, stigmatization, or abuse from peers and shelter staff as a result of their sexual orientation and/or gender non-conformity.3 Youth may have difficulty finding housing and may be asked to leave shelters after revealing their sexual or transgender identity. As a result of harassment and negative experiences in shelters, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to live on the streets than their heterosexual peers and are especially vulnerable to physical and sexual exploitation.4 LGBTQ+ youth who experience homelessness also experience high rates of conduct disorder, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal behavior with approximately 60 percent being likely to attempt suicide.5

To address these challenges, LGBTQ+ youth who are affected by homeless or in out-of-home care need protection from harassment, access to culturally appropriate support, and equal treatment and supportive services.6 It is important for shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing to promote positive youth development, provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, offer family reconciliation services, and connect youth to community resources and services.7 Responses to youth homelessness are typically crisis-oriented. A comprehensive approach is necessary to better prevent youth homelessness, such as using prevention services (e.g., providing equitable and culturally appropriate health and mental health services) and diversion strategies (e.g., quickly helping homeless or youth at-risk to “choice driven” crisis housing and tailored services that will lead to permanent housing).8

View the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity youth topic to learn more about LGBTQ+ youth.

## Resources

**Homelessness Resource Center: Homeless Populations**The Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) is an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels. It shares state-of-the-art knowledge and promising practices to prevent and end homelessness through the following:
                      - Training and technical assistance
                      - Publications and materials
                      - Online learning opportunities
                      - Networking and collaboration

The HRC includes resources focused on youth as well as on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two- spirit (LGBTQI2-S) youth. Intersex is defined as individuals with medically defined biological attributes that are not exclusively male or female. These youth are frequently “assigned” a gender at birth, which may differ from their gender identity later in life. Two-spirit is a culture-specific general identity for Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) with homosexual or transgender identities.9

**Learning from the Field: Expert Panel on Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Homeless (Summary of Proceedings)**(PDF, 45 pages)This document highlights key issues, strategies, best practices, and next steps for collaboration between the Homelessness Resource Center and other stakeholders to address LGBTQI2-S youth who are experiencing homelessness.

**United States Interagency Council on Homelessness**This website includes information and resources on homelessness in the United States including a section focused on LGBT youth.

**Voices of Youth: LGBT Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers**This issue brief discusses recent findings on homelessness rates among LGBT young adults in comparison with their peers, including easy to read infographics.

## References

1 Henry, de Sousa, Roddey, Gaven & Bednar, 20112 The Trevor Project, 2021; Choi, Wilson, Shelton, & Gates, 2015; Morton, Dworsky, Patel, & Samuels, 20183 National Alliance to End Homelessness, 20214 Lambda Legal, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Network for Youth, & National Center for Lesbian Rights, 2009; Morton et al., 20185 Morton et al., 2018; The Trevor Project, 20216 Matarese, 20127 Homeless Resource Center, 20108 Morton & Horwitz, 20199 Poirier et al., 2008

## Other Resources on this Topic

### Agencies 

                          - Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control

### Announcements 

                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - National Adoption Month 2022
                          - Observance: 2023 Global Diversity Awareness Month
                          - Permanency for Youth on Their Own Terms
                          - Pride Month Census Data
                          - Recent Event: HUD Awards Nearly $500,000 to Public Housing Authorities to Help Young People Aging out of Foster Care
                          - Report: A Guide to Effective Collaborations with Community-Based Organizations to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Report: Food Insecurity and Health-Related Concerns Among Elementary Schoolteachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - Report: Homelessness and Housing Instability Among LGBTQ Youth
                          - Report: Lessons from a Historic Decline in Child Poverty
                          - Resource: “My Dream Home” Activity
                          - Resource: ACS-ED Data
                          - Resource: Activate: The Center to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals
                          - Resource: Advances in Supporting Kinship Caregivers Podcast Series
                          - Resource: All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
                          - Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
                          - Resource: Ask Youth Challenge
                          - Resource: Broadband Access Landscape
                          - Resource: Child Welfare in the News
                          - Resource: Core Youth Outcomes in Youth of Color
                          - Resource: Determining Youth and Young Adult Eligibility for Services: Grantee Tools and Processes
                          - Resource: Federal Student Aid and Homeless Youth
                          - Resource: From Evidence to Action: A Federal Homelessness Research Agenda
                          - Resource: Going to a Public Disaster Shelter During the COVID-19 Pandemic
                          - Resource: Highlights From the 2020 Juvenile Residential Facility Census
                          - Resource: Homeless Resources
                          - Resource: Housing Services
                          - Resource: John H. Chafee Foster Care for Successful Transition to Adulthood Program Resource List
                          - Resource: Joint Letter Regarding the Assignment of Rights to Child Support for Children in Foster Care
                          - Resource: LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Mental Health Awareness Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Most Kids with Parent in Same-Sex Relationship Live with Female Couple
                          - Resource: NCFY
                          - Resource: OnTheMap for Emergency Management
                          - Resource: Placement Stability
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reducing Homelessness Among Young People Transitioning from Foster Care
                          - Resource: Reentry to Foster Care
                          - Resource: Rethinking Service Array for Young People Transitioning from Child Welfare
                          - Resource: Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit
                          - Resource: Screening and Assessment Tools
                          - Resource: September 2022 Spotlight on Kinship Care
                          - Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22
                          - Resource: Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Questions to Consider
                          - Resource: Supporting LGBTQI+ Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: The National Center for Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (The National SOGIE Center) 
                          - Resource: Tip Sheets on Everyday Parenting Topics
                          - Resource: Transporting Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Resource: Unregulated Custody Transfers of Adopted Children
                          - Resource: Voices Amplified
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2021 Data
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Resource: Youth Voices
                          - Second Chance Month: April 2023
                          - Share with Youth: 1-800-RUNAWAY Public Service Announcement (PSA)
                          - Toolkit: National Foster Care Month 2022 Outreach
                          - Webinar Recording: Elevating the Leadership of Students and Families with Lived Expertise
                          - Webinar Recording: Homelessness in Foster Care: What Would Really Keep Foster Youth From Sleeping in Offices
                          - Webinar Recording: Providing Emergency Preparedness Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness
                          - Webinar Recording: Supporting English Learners (ELs) Experiencing Homelessness: An ARP-HCY Implementation Spotlight
                          - Youth Voices Have Moved to YE4C

### Collaboration Profiles 

                          - Atlanta Housing Authority
                          - Resources
                          - Y2CONNECT.org

### Data Sources 

                          - 2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report
                          - American FactFinder
                          - Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness

### Feature Articles 

                          - Father’s Day 2012 – Reconnecting Families and Dads Saturday, June 16th, 2012
                          - Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C
                          - Minnesota's Support Systems for Rural Homeless Youth Program
                          - Nation's Housing Authorities to Celebrate Fathers Day
                          - Report on Well-Being of Nation’s Children Released
                          - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/GreatSchools Partnership – Coordinating Housing Assistance with Educational Opportunities

### Programs 

                          - Administration for Children and Families/Family and Youth Services Bureau Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
                          - Choice Neighborhoods
                          - Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Toolkit
                          - Family Unification Program
                          - John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
                          - Neighborhood Networks
                          - Public and Indian Housing
                          - Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Program

### Publications 

                          - Healthy Homes Program Brochure
                          - HUD Strategic Plan FY 2010 -2015
                          - Seven Steps to a Healthy Home
                          - Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

### Resources 

                          - Ending Housing Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals and Families
                          - Report: Fulfilling America’s Future: Latinas in the U.S., 2015
                          - The Equal Access to Housing Rule and Youth
                          - Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

### Technical Assistance 

                          - Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
                          - Homelessness Resource Center
                          - Office of Public and Indian Housing Training and Technical Assistance
                          - Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Centers
                          - Rural Information Center

### Tools & Guides 

                          - Healthy Homes Website
                          - Rural Development Funding Notices

### Websites 

                          - Interagency Council on Homelessness

## Youth Briefs

How Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Planning Makes a Difference for Youth with Disabilities
Youth who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and especially young adults of transition age, should be involved in planning for life after high school as early as possible and no later than age 16. Transition services should stem from the individual youth’s needs and strengths, ensuring that planning takes into account his or her interests, preferences, and desires for the future.

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood: How Holding Early Leadership Positions Can Make a Difference
Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities, and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people

How Trained Service Professionals and Self-Advocacy Makes a Difference for Youth with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, or Co-occurring Issues
Statistics reflecting the number of youth suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders highlight the necessity for schools, families, support staff, and communities to work together to develop targeted, coordinated, and comprehensive transition plans for young people with a history of mental health needs and/or substance abuse.

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions
Nearly 30,000 youth aged out of foster care in Fiscal Year 2009, which represents nine percent of the young people involved in the foster care system that year. This transition can be challenging for youth, especially youth who have grown up in the child welfare system.

Coordinating Systems to Support Transition Age Youth with Mental Health Needs
Research has demonstrated that as many as one in five children/youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Read about how coordination between public service agencies can improve treatment for these youth.

Civic Engagement Strategies for Transition Age Youth
Civic engagement has the potential to empower young adults, increase their self-determination, and give them the skills and self-confidence they need to enter the workforce. Read about one youth’s experience in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

## Main navigation

- Homelessness and Runaway
- Federal Definitions
- Rates
- Family Conflict and Violence
- LGBT
- Education
- Child Welfare
- Juvenile Justice
- Behavioral Health
- Physical & Reproductive Health
- Resources for Young Parents & Children Experiencing Homelessness
- Federal Programs
- Interagency Efforts
- Federal Data Sources
- References

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## Latest Resources

### Agencies

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

Resource: Survivor-Informed Services Among Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs

### Announcements

Resource: Student Homelessness in America: School Years 2019-20 to 2021-22

Resource: Voices Amplified

Resource: American Community Survey Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

### Collaboration Profiles

Y2CONNECT.org

Resources

Atlanta Housing Authority

### Data Sources

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

2011-2021 YRBS Data Summary and Trends Report

### Feature Articles

Resources to Support Youth Who Have Lost a Caregiver

Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C

A Hand and Paw Partnership Benefits Homeless Youth

### Hotlines

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

Resource: National Runaway Safeline (NRS) | (1800runaway.org)

### Publications

What Factors Predict Whether Youth Will Run Away or Become Homeless Again After Returning Home?

Transitional Living Programs and Relationships with Landlords

SNAP: Clarification of Policies Barriers Facing Homeless Youth

### Resources

Webinar Recording: Helping the LGBTQIA+ Community Before Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation Considerations

Share with Youth: Youth Speak Out: Shared Experiences Help Rural Youth Leaders Connect

Resource: Data on Homeless Students