During Pride Month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched new resources and research aimed at supporting LGBTQI+ Americans. This initiative is a collaborative effort among HUD’s Offices of Community Planning and Development, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Public and Indian Housing, Housing, and Policy Development and Research.
“Having stable housing is essential to the foundation upon which individuals can build a better future and thrive,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This Pride Month, HUD has taken important measures to ensure LGBTQI+ individuals have the resources they need to find affordable housing and support in their communities.”
On June 25, HUD released an article identifying barriers faced by LGBTQI+ homeless youth and young adults (YYA) when accessing shelter and stable housing. The article also highlights best practices for providers supporting this population. According to HUD’s Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, approximately 8,000 unsheltered individuals identified as transgender or gender questioning in 2023.
The article draws on over six months of listening sessions with around 30 LGBTQI+ youth and 45 service providers across five metro areas. Participants emphasized the need for youth-focused affirming shelter spaces, trauma-informed practices, sustained care even after finding permanent housing, and more education on reporting discrimination.
“Today’s young adults are tomorrow’s adults and too many have been left behind, unsheltered and victimized by housing discrimination,” said Demetria McCain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “A healthy society is one that takes care of its most vulnerable which HUD strives to do.”
“Over the past few months, the HUD team has met with LGBTQI+ youth and young adults in Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, Prince George’s County, and New York City where they talked with us frankly about their unique needs,” said Marion McFadden, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. “They should be focused on building their futures but instead are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.”
Additionally, HUD released another article discussing actions to gather data supporting LGBTQI+ Americans. Since publishing the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Action Plan in March 2023, HUD has made progress in collecting data to support underserved communities.
“HUD’s SOGI Data Action Plan demonstrates the agency’s commitment to assess, improve, and monitor the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ Americans over time,” said Solomon Greene, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
HUD also launched a new website consolidating resources for the LGBTQI+ community. The site provides information for shelters on complying with laws protecting LGBTQI+ Americans from discrimination. It also directs individuals who believe they have experienced housing discrimination on how to file a complaint.
These actions represent HUD's ongoing efforts to address homelessness among LGBTQI+ Americans. For further information on federal support for the LGBTQI+ community under the Biden-Harris Administration, please refer to the White House Fact Sheet.
