![]() While a growing number of facilities and organizations are dedicated to providing care specifically for LGBT homeless youth, there is still much work to be done.Ĭritical Issues Affecting LGBT Homeless Youthīecause they are often without a family to turn to, LGBT homeless youth are at risk of mental health issues, substance abuse, crime, and victimization. ![]() In addition, some facilities won’t treat minors without the consent of a parent or guardian. The True Colors Fund notes that there is a shortage of clinics and facilities that meet the population’s unique needs. LGBT youth are also underserved when it comes to health care services. Youth may also leave their housing placements to avoid unfair treatment, abuse, or harassment, the Center for American Progress notes. Social services can be a short-term solution, but studies show that “12 to 36 percent of emancipated foster care youth will report being homeless at least once after discharge from care,” the NAEH reports. The NAEH notes that there is national shortage of youth shelters and housing programs, which can lead to youth being denied assistance upon leaving their family homes. The NAEH reports similar findings, noting that youth consistently report severe family conflict as the primary reason for their homelessness.įamily rejection at young ages can have lasting negative effects, and unfortunately, LGBT youth experiencing homelessness don’t always find a safety net in their communities. The True Colors Fund notes that family conflict is the most common cause of all youth homelessness, but this is even more significant for LGBT populations: “Half of all teens get a negative reaction from their parents when they come out to them,” and more than one in four are forced to leave their homes.Īccording to a study by the Williams Institute, which surveyed 354 agencies that work with LGBT homeless populations, 68 percent of clients have experienced family rejection. There are many reasons why LGBT youth may face homelessness, but the most critical factors are focused on family units. “It is possible that homeless LGBT youth migrate to the coasts to seek more accepting communities or places where there are greater legal protections or programmatic options to serve LGBT communities,” the report continues. In Seeking Shelter: The Experiences and Unmet Needs of LGBT Homeless Youth, the Center for American Progress reports that 25 to 50 percent of the youth homeless population identifies as LGBT in those regions compared to 10 to 25 percent in the Midwest. There are regional differences in LGBT youth homelessness as well, with higher percentages on the East and West Coasts. Homelessness can lead to mental, physical, and behavioral issues that last a lifetime.Īside from being at greater risk for homelessness, LGBT youth are also likely to become homeless at younger ages, according to Child Trends, a leading nonprofit research organization focused on improving the lives of children, youths, and their families. In terms of LGBT demographics, the NAEH reports that homeless youth are disproportionately African-American or American Indian and are often from lower-income communities. ![]() The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) defines this demographic as “unaccompanied youth aged 12 to 24 years,” and includes four major categories: runaway, transitory or episodic, unaccompanied homeless youth, and street dependent youth. A Subpopulation at Riskįor all youth, homelessness has a negative effect on normal development. Human services professionals should have a clear understanding of the unique needs, risk factors, and challenges facing LGBT homeless youth in order to design and deliver the best possible services to their clients. This means that, in many cases, LGBT youth are left without the resources and assistance provided to other homeless populations. Because LGBT youth represent only 7 percent of the total youth population, there is a staggering disproportion of homelessness among these populations.ĭespite this sobering statistic, there are currently no federal programs specifically designed to meet the needs of gay and transgender homeless youth. According to the True Colors Fund, a nonprofit organization working to end homelessness in the LGBT community, 1.6 million youth are homeless each year and up to 40 percent of them identify as LGBT. Homelessness is a critical issue for America’s youth.
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