HOMELESSNESS
When it Comes to
Homelessness, Central Florida’s
LGBTQ+ Face Special Challenges
While individuals in the LGBTQ+
community are more likely to be
homeless, efforts to help them
often lack strategies designed to
meet their specific needs. Once
homeless, LGBTQ+ individuals
often experience higher rates of
violence, abuse and exploitation.
Some shelters bar them from
entry, others do nothing to ensure
their safety, and none in Central
Florida are designed solely for
the LGBTQ+ adult population.
Not surprisingly, these individuals
may remain homeless longer.
LGBTQ+ youth comprise 35%
of Central Florida’s minors
experiencing homelessness, with
family conflict and rejection
as the primary reason they
left home. Most can’t find
help tailored to their needs:
A recent survey of 268 youth
experiencing homelessness in
Central Florida found that while
93 identified as LGBTQ+, there
were only 8 beds targeted to
LGBTQ+ youth in the region.
(See Youth for more information.)
35% of
Central Florida’s
youth who are
experiencing
homelessness
identify as LGBTQ+.
Approximately 1 in 5
transgender individuals
in the U.S. have unstable
housing, or are at risk of
homelessness, with local
statistics currently unknown.
Compared to their heterosexual/cisgender counterparts, LGBTQ+ individuals
experience higher rates of poverty and homelessness. Central Florida’s
combination of low wages and lack of affordable housing, unequal treatment
in housing and the workplace, and family hostility and violence are to blame.
WHAT MUST BE DONE:
1 2 3
Funding for
a leadership
position tasked
with addressing
issues related
to LGTBQ+
homelessness.
Funding to increase
beds for LGBTQ+
youth experiencing
homelessness and to
address the underlying
causes (access to
health care and mental
health, employment
and education).
Increased access
to safe, inclusive
housing for LGBTQ+
individuals, plus cultural
competency training for
social service providers,
particularly as it relates
to transgender and
elder populations.
MORE
INFO:
Watermark Publishing Group
www.WatermarkOnline.com
Zebra Coalition
www.ZebraYouth.org
LGBT+ Center Orlando
www.TheCenterOrlando.org
Bliss Cares
www.BlissCares.org
Legal Aid Society of Central Florida
www. legalaidocba.org
/www.WatermarkOnline.com
/www.ZebraYouth.org
/www.TheCenterOrlando.org
/www.BlissCares.org
/legalaidocba.org