Gay homeless shelter

LGBTQ+

The prevalence of homelessness is 2 times higher among Queer youth compared to their peers. There are several Homosexual homeless youth organizations and resources to help LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.

  • Human Rights Campaign – The Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation offer resources and tools to support LGBTQ+ youth, lift LGBTQ+ homeless knowledge, and connect individuals with lawmakers and advocacy groups.
  • A Way Home America – A Way Residence America works through policy to conclude homelessness for Dark, Indigenous, youth of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth, advocating for increased support for LGBTQ+ youth and improved access to LGBTQ+ homeless resources.
  • National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth – from National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Network for Youth, Lambda Legal, and National Center for Lesbian Rights (April, 2009) outlines recommended best practices for serving Homosexual youth experiencing homelessness, including guidelines for creating safe and inclusive LGBTQ homeless shelters and other safe spaces.

LGBTQ+ Young People Are More Likely to Experience Homelessness

LGBTQ+ youth experience a much higher risk of homelessness than their peers. Once on the street, they face additional hardships because of stigma and discrimination. This is the actual world for LGBTQ+ youth across all of the cities where Covenant House works.

120%

LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers.

40%

In the U.S., 40% of youth facing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, compared to just 7% of all youth.

30%

At Covenant House, about 30% of the youth in residence with us identify as LGBTQ+

Why Do Diverse Youth Experience Homelessness?

Like many youth facing homelessness, it's often not just one thing that causes them to trial homelessness. Some may be facing poverty or subjected to abuse in the home, while others may have aged out of the foster care system.

But the most usual reason that Queer youth experience homelessness is family opposition due to their gender identity or expression or their sexual orientation. Many young people say us heartbreaking stories of rejection and eviction that led to life on the streets.

Once homeless, LGBTQ+ youth encounter f

1/6

New Alternatives is dedicated to reducing homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth and adolescent adults in New York Municipality by addressing areas critical to their development and well-being: housing, physical and mental health, knowledge, and employment.

With a strong center on harm reduction and long-term support, we offer a broad range of direct services and referrals to meet the needs of our clients and advocate on their behalf to make certain they survive and thrive.

GET HELP

New Alternatives assists LGBTQ+ young people who are 16–30 years of age. To learn about our services and how you can receive help or refer someone in need, clickhere.

VOLUNTEER

Do you wish for to share your time and talents with LGBTQ+ youth? Volunteers are the foundation of our work, and New Alternatives needs you. To absorb how you can get emotionally attached, click here.

DONATE

New Alternatives relies on the kindness and generosity of our donors. Without your continued support, our work would not be possible. To make a contribution today, please click here.

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LGBTQ+ HOMELESS YOUTH

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True colors
United to


Advocate, Educate, Collaborate, End Youth Homelessness.

LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to face homelessness than their peers, while Shadowy youth are 83% and Latine youth are 33% more likely. True Colors United is guided by two core beliefs: those who’ve experienced an issue first-hand hold the keys to the solution, and improving outcomes for the most impacted communities benefits everyone. 

Advocacy

Our team works at the federal, state, and local levels to guarantee vital funding, policies, systems, and protections are in place that meet the needs of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We partner with little people and with national,  state-level and local advocates in advancing policies that bring us closer to a future where housing justice is a life for all. 

Youth Action

Our team works with young people all over the state to ensure that youth-led policies, systems, and protections are in place. Youth are the experts in their own experiences. We create spaces and opportunities for young people with lived experience of homelessness to learn from each other, strategize togethe