Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE), poverty, able-ism and adult-ism are all drivers of homelessness for youth and young adults. We are working to change systems that result in this uneven playing field for young people and families. For definitions of people of color, LGBTQ+, gender diverse etc. please see ACI Key Terms.
Why does equity matter?
Chapin Hall have the most comprehensive body of research on youth and young adult homelessness to date. Their findings indicate that:
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
Black and Latino youth are 83 and 33 percent more likely than their white peers to experience homelessness.
The research also shows opportunities for prevention and early intervention:
work on early identification of youth at risk for homelessness to initiate appropriate family supports.
leaders in homelessness systems and services also need to act on the importance of earning reputations as safe and affirming spaces—for all young people but especially for LGBTQ youth, who have shown they will avoid service agencies they don’t trust.
Why do we need data?
identify any disparities or disproportionality in outcomes that exist for certain populations
when we know how many young people there are, we can make informed decisions about resources and programming (time, money, services).
without the data, we will not be able to tailor our services or address inequities in our systems - we will not be able to reach functional zero given the over-representation of Black, Latinx, Native and LGBTQ+ youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Collecting data through race/LGBTQ+ equity lenses includes:
educating and training staff on race/ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation and pronouns to improve data quality and service provision
involving LGBTQ+ and POC young people with lived experience in designing data collection surveys and questions, and giving regular feedback on implementation
Analyzing data through race/LGBTQ+ equity lenses includes:
at a minimum, dis-aggregating systems level data to determine outcomes for youth of color, gender diverse and LGBQ young people (could also include pregnant/parenting YYA)
identify disproportionality (over or under-representation) where it exists (requires confidence that data are quality and that collection is culturally appropriate and responsive)
wherever possible, dis-aggregating “youth of color” further by race/ethnicity to uncover any dis-proportionality that could exist for specific racial or ethnic groups. Designing interventions will require identifying the specific groups who are experiencing different outcomes in the system or upon entrance/exit
recognizing the young people in our data points as whole people with intersecting identities who are LGBQ, gender diverse AND as people of color
having LGBTQ+ and YYA of color with lived experience on Core Teams, analyzing and interpreting data to inform systems updates that better meet their needs
placing as much weight on qualitative data (young people’s lived experiences) as we do on quantitative data (the numbers)
Reaching functional zero equitably:
racial and LGBTQ+ equity are specifically measured to ensure these populations over-represented the data are experiencing the same outcomes as their peers
emphasis on measuring three system level data points to ensure racial/LGBTQ+ equity in problem areas: returns to housing, exits to permanent housing, and average number of days experiencing homelessness
Resources and tools for improving equity data analysis and collection:
Center for Children and Youth Justice Protocol for Safe and Affirming Care: training and expectations setting for professionals, volunteers and caregivers, creating safe spaces, collecting SOGIE data.
True Colors United At the Intersections Report: more information on LGBTQ+ youth and young adults experiencing homelessness