These Philanthropic Organizations Are Fighting to End LGBTQ+ Homelessness
Every day, thousands of Americans struggle to find a safe place to call home. Since homelessness takes many different forms, it's difficult to measure the exact homeless population, but in their 2020 report, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found at least 580,466 people experienced homelessness on a single night.
In particular, LGBTQ+ adults are estimated to be twice as likely as the rest of the general population to have experienced homelessness in their lifetime. Whereas, an in-depth study by Chapin Hall at the University in Chicago found LGBTQ+ young people are 120 percent more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ+ youth. Philanthropic organizations across the country are working to help homeless shelters, adoption agencies, and the foster system implements more inclusive practices and ultimately, end homelessness. Read on to discover five LGBTQ+-focused non-profit organizations and centers to support this Pride Month.
True Colors United
Co-founded by singer and activist Cyndi Lauper, True Colors United focuses on developing long-term solutions to prevent and end youth homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community. The organization reaches out to local shelters and service providers to help implement inclusive practices to prevent homelessness within the community. Beyond working in small communities, True Colors United also advocates on federal, state, and local levels for more funding and protections to be put into place, in hopes, to end homelessness.
SAGE
SAGE has proudly advocated and provided services for elder queer people since 1978. These services include working to help elderly people find affordable, safe, and LGBT-friendly housing while highlighting the issues of housing discrimination in the U.S. Through their SAGECare program, the organization offers training sessions for caregivers and housing developers to learn how to better serve the unique needs of the community.
Ruth Ellis Center
Named in honor of pioneering activist Ruth Ellis, the Detroit-based center offers trauma-informed services to LGBT+ youth and young adults with an emphasis on people of color, those experiencing homelessness, and those needing health services. The drop-in center provides a safe space for queer and questioning folks to gather and seek a variety of services like health and wellness care, career advice, and connections to housing and emergency shelters. The Ruth Ellis Institute also works on a national level to educate and train other organizations on how to care for LGBT+ youth.
Ali Forney Center
Carl Siciliano founded the New York-based organization in 2002 to honor a homeless teen, Ali Forney, who spent their short life advocating for homeless queer people and HIV prevention. The Ali Forney Center's mission is to provide comprehensive support and encouragement to LGBTQ+ young adults through HIV care and prevention, outreach services, and job readiness classes. The organization also has an emergency housing program that allows those experiencing homelessness to stay within apartment-like shelters in Queens and Brooklyn for 1 to 6 months before moving onto a more transitional housing program.
The Trevor Project
Since its founding in 1998, The Trevor Project has been one of the country's leading organizations providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGBTQ+ community, specifically for those under 25. The California-based organization also provides support and services to those dealing with homelessness and family rejection by advocating for non-discriminatory policies surrounding home care, adoption, and foster care.
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