On the Streets: Federal Response to Gay and Transgender Homeless Youth

A disproportionately large portion of homeless youth is comprised of gay and transgender youth, according to a Center for American Progress issue brief, published in August 2010.

There are approximately 1.6 million to 2.8 million homeless youth in the U.S. Although it is estimated that gay and transgender youth comprise about 5 to 10 percent of the total youth population, they make up at least 20 percent, and by some estimates as much as 40 percent, of the homeless youth population. The brief suggests that severe family conflict over coming out at a young age, an unsafe and indifferent school environment, an ill-prepared foster care system and the inaccessibility of non-discriminatory homeless shelters all contribute to this staggering number of homeless youth.

The brief highlights approaches that have been successful at relieving homelessness for gay and transgender youth, including shelters that offer comprehensive care. It concludes by urging lawmakers to outlaw discrimination in federally-funded shelters and suggests an increase in federal allocations for homeless youth.
 

Read the report.