Financial and Social Resources for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth

Pride Month is meant to be a time of celebration and recognition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQ+) community. But if this time is overshadowed for you because you don’t have a stable place to live or are homeless, you should know you’re not alone.

LGBTQ+ youths are 120% more likely to become homeless than their cisgender or heterosexual peers, often because they have been forced to leave home or run away due to abuse and family conflict. Homelessness doesn’t have to be permanent. Many organizations throughout the country can provide support if you have nowhere to live or are worried about becoming homeless.

In this guide, you’ll find state and national helplines, shelters and other organizations that can help, along with tips for how to avoid homelessness. If you are among the LGBTQ+ homeless youth in America, these resources can help you find support and a safe home.

When you’re faced with the prospect of homelessness, finding shelter is your most urgent need. But you likely need food, health care, medicine, clothing and counseling, too. The resources below can help you figure out your next steps by talking through your fears and identifying safe places where you can get your needs met.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you’re considering suicide, you can speak with someone at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline about how and where to get help. They can also help you create a plan for when you are feeling bad and help you evaluate relationships that do not support your well-being.
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project operates a suicide prevention hotline and chat and text options that allow you to speak with trained crisis specialists. You can also connect with other LGBTQ+ people and allies under 25 through the organization’s social networking site, TrevorSpace. Whatever your struggles, The Trevor Project can offer guidance and help you figure out your next steps.
• National Safe Place: The Safe Place organization operates in 40 states and provides information on local businesses, libraries and other organizations that are safe for LGBTQ+ teens who need somewhere to go. If you’re in immediate danger or crisis, you can text the word “safe” and your location to 4HELP (44357), and you’ll receive information on the Safe Place closest to you.
• National Runaway Safeline: When you call or message the National Runaway Safeline, your conversations are confidential and licensed specialists can help you find the resources you need and make a plan for getting safe. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY, or you can email or chat through the Safeline’s website. There’s also a forum where you can post questions or ask for help.
• It Gets Better Project: The It Gets Better Project allows you to search its online database for local resources near you and provides resource lists for LGBTQ+ people who are Black or people of color. The organization also lists resources for immigrants and asylees and is known for showcasing stories of hope from the LGBTQ+ community.
• Trans Lifeline: You can call this confidential hotline to speak with other members of the transgender community and ask for help finding social services and other resources in your area.
• The LGBT National Help Center: If you’re 25 years or under, you can call the LGBT National Help Center’s Youth Talkline, where you can chat confidentially with peers or find out about local resources and support. People 19 and under can participate in weekly youth chatrooms to build relationships with peers and find emotional support.
• National Center for Transgender Equality: The center provides extensive online resources regarding health care issues for transgender people, as well as information on your legal rights regarding how you’re treated in housing situations and homeless shelters.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Your local HUD office may be able to connect you with a local shelter or transitional housing program and help find affordable housing. They can also tell you about local food banks and other resources where you can meet your basic needs.
• National Coalition for the Homeless: You can contact the coalition whether you are already homeless or are worried that you will be homeless within the coming days and weeks. They can refer you to local resources, and their website provides advice on how to avoid homelessness if you’re in a volatile situation. You can also use their searchable database to look for shelters and support organizations in your area.

• Runaway & Homeless Youth (RHY) Programs: These are federally funded programs to help homeless youth. You can find basic needs centers throughout the country.
• Matthew Shepard Foundation: Named for a young Wyoming man who was murdered for being gay, the Matthew Shepard Foundation highlights LGBTQ+ voices and advocates for equality and inclusion.
• Lambda Legal: This nonprofit focuses on LGBTQ+ rights in legal and public policy, and its website is a great resource to learn more about your rights.
• Sex, Etc.: This online resource provides helpful information on having safe sex as well as developing healthy emotional relationships.
• Trans Employment Program: The Trans Employment Program provides career coaching and leadership workshops, information on finding stable housing and guidance on your legal rights in the workplace.
• Love Is Respect: You can call or chat the Love Is Respect hotline anytime to get help if you're in an abusive relationship. Counselors can help you make a plan for leaving an abusive situation and how to protect yourself once you've left.
• National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: This is a confidential hotline where you can speak with a counselor about where to find health care after a sexual trauma or assault as well as how to access mental health resources to help you cope.