This report by the Centre for Homelessness Impact discusses LGBTQ+ individuals and their experience of homelessness. They are an an increased risk of homelessness, often due to family rejection, discrimination, mental health issues, and inadequate support. The report calls for better data collection, targeted interventions (like LGBTQ+-specific services) and rigorous trials to better evaluate effective prevention and support strategies.

Findings:

LGBTQ+ people, especially young people, are at an increased risk of experiencing homelessness and of having negative experiences while homeless than their cis-gendered or straight peers.

Young people who are LGBTQ+ are more likely to enter foster or residential care than their peers and may experience particular challenges while in care as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The evidence points to LGBTQ+ people being at greater risk of being victims of crime, while also being less likely to report incidents, and to come forward to seek support with homelessness due to fear of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic responses from service providers, including the police.

About 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness at some stage in their lives.

There is a shortage of robust research in this area, which can hinder targeted interventions.

‍