LGBTQ+ Family Connections Center

Urgent Issues Affecting LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Youth

Homeless Youth

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

LGBTQ Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers.

Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

LGBTQ youth are at more than double the risk of homelessness compared to non-LGBTQ peers
Among youth experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ young people reported higher rates of trauma and adversity, including twice the rate of early death
Homelessness stems from multiple factors beyond “coming out” among LGBTQ youth
Youth who identified as both LGBTQ and black or multiracial had some of the highest rates of homelessness
Safe, affirming responses and services are important for engaging LGBTQ youth

https://www.chapinhall.org/research/lgbtq-young-adults-experience-homelessness-at-more-than-twice-the-rate-of-peers/

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

Rural vs. Urban Homelessness

Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America.

Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

In predominantly rural counties, 9.2% of young adults reported any homelessness while, in predominantly urban counties, the prevalence rate was 9.6%.

Household prevalence of any homelessness among adolescents ages 13-17 was 4.4% in predominantly rural counties and 4.2% in mainly urban counties.

One interesting distinction is that youth in rural communities seem to rely more on couch surfing, probably due to a lack of shelter and housing services in their communities.

https://voicesofyouthcount.org/brief/national-estimates-of-youth-homelessness/

Lacking Services in Rural America

Discrimination and Family Rejection

Discrimination and Family Rejection

Rural Counties Lack Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness.

Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

Most rural counties lack services designed specifically for youth experiencing homelessness, forcing young people to go without help or travel long distances to gain support.

Rural youth are more likely to be “hidden” in their communities because they often rely on “couch surfing” at friends’ or strangers’ homes, sleeping in vehicles, or staying outdoors.

Rural youth find it more difficult than their peers in larger, more urban counties to connect with education and employment opportunities.

https://www.chapinhall.org/research/youth-homelessness-rural-america/

Discrimination and Family Rejection

Discrimination and Family Rejection

Discrimination and Family Rejection

Discrimination and Family Rejection

LGBTQ+ individuals face a particular set of challenges, both in becoming homeless as well as when they are trying to avoid homelessness. LGBTQ+ persons face social stigma, discrimination, and often rejection by their families, which adds to the physical and mental strains/challenges that all homelessness persons must struggle with.
Frequently, homeless LGBTQ+ persons have great difficulty finding shelters that accept and respect them. LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness are often at a heightened risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation compared with their heterosexual peers. Transgender people are particularly at physical risk due to a lack of acceptance and are often turned away from shelters; in some cases signs have been posted barring their entrance.
- According to the Williams Institute, 40% of the homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBTQ+.
- 43% of clients served by drop-in centers identified as LGBTQ+.
- 30% of street outreach clients identified as LGBTQ+.
- 30% of clients utilizing housing programs identified as LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Family rejection are often the most sited reason.