LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults Experience Homelessness at Disproportionate Rates

Although LGBTQ+ youth make up only 7 percent of America's total youth population, there is an alarming disproportion of homelessness among these populations. Many of these young people are either forced to leave their previous residence after being rejected, or have run away for their own reasons. Unfortunately, there are currently no active federal programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing homelessness. At Youth Improvement Services, we're bridging the gap by creating safe spaces for youth and young adults who identify as LGBTQ+ to exit homelessness and live independently.

LGBTQ young people are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. In many cases, LGBTQ+ youth are left without the resources and assistance needed to take care of themselves mentally or physically, leaving them to navigate homelessness while mismanaging undiagnosed health conditions. We envision communities where youth homelessness is brief, rare, and non-recurring. At Youth Improvement Services, 13.6% of our clients identify as transgender, and 3.7% identify as non-binary. We focus on 18 to 24 year old youth of color & youth who identify as LGBTQ+ since they disproportionately experience homelessness, poverty and marginalization.

Our team has a clear understanding of the unique needs, risk factors, and challenges facing LGBTQ+ homeless youth. This knowledge empowers us to design and deliver the most effective services possible for young people in need. Homelessness can often result in mental, physical, and behavioral issues that last a lifetime. We aim to reduce these outcomes by providing emergency bridge housing, career-readiness training, life-skills lessons, mentorship, and other essential resources to help catapult more LGBTQ+ youth into a thriving, stable, and productive adult life.