LGBTQ Youth Homelessness

LGBTQ youth includes any young adult, from the ages of 18 to 25, that identifies as LGBTQ.

LGBTQ is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of different people that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer.

LGBTQ homeless youth also experience high rates of conduct disorder, post-traumatic stress, and suicidal behavior.

LGBTQ youth are a sub population that is disproportionately represented within the homeless population, there is an overwhelming need to resolve this problem.

What can be done to help resolve this problem? One solution is to make legislative change.

Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (RHYPTA)

Provides community-based services for runaway or homeless youth who are in-need of temporary shelter, counseling, or aftercare services. It makes grants for centers and services for five-year terms and such grants must include trauma-informed and culturally competent services, as appropriate.

To read more, click here.

Necessary Revisions

The RHYPTA needs to be revised so community-based services can accommodate for LGBTQ youth’s unique needs. An authorization that would increase funding and the addition of a nondiscrimination clause would directly help LGBTQ homeless youth.

Click here for tips on how you can enact legislative change and make this happen!

Alexis Dunbar takes full responsibility for the information posted. The information on this page represents that of Alexis Dunbar and not that of California State University, Sacramento.