While Pride is a time to celebrate how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the barriers that many LGBTQ+ people continue to face, including homelessness. 

Across the UK, the LGBTQ+ community are significantly more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. Behind these statistics are people who have been rejected by family members, experienced discrimination, or struggled to access safe and inclusive housing.

Research from the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence found that 47% of the LGBTQ+ community surveyed had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. The risks were even higher among transgender, non-binary and disabled respondents.

Importantly, LGBTQ+ people do not become homeless because of their identity. Rather, they are more likely to encounter experiences that increase the risk of homelessness, including family breakdown, abuse, discrimination and social exclusion.

For many young people, family support acts as a safety net during periods of financial hardship or housing instability. But for some LGBTQ+ young people, this safety net is absent.

AKT found that:

• 61% of LGBTQ+ young people felt threatened by family members before becoming homeless.
• 50% feared that coming out would lead to eviction from their home.
• 59% had experienced discrimination or harassment.

Accessing support can also be challenging. Many people within the LGBTQ+ community report concerns about discrimination, stigma, or a lack of understanding within housing and homelessness services, making it harder to seek help when they need it most.

These experiences can leave young people facing homelessness at exactly the stage of life when they have the fewest financial resources and the least housing security.

Addressing homelessness within LGBTQ+ communities requires recognising that people experience homelessness in different ways and for different reasons. For those within the LGBTQ+ community, experiences of family rejection, discrimination, social exclusion and abuse can create unique barriers to housing stability. 

The causes of homelessness within LGBTQ+ communities are often complex and highly individual. As a result, responses to homelessness must be equally flexible. There is no single route out of homelessness. Some people may need help securing a rent deposit, others may need support to continue their education, replace essential belongings, travel to work, or overcome practical barriers that stand between them and stable housing.

As we celebrate Pride, it is important not only to recognise the progress that has been made, but also the challenges that remain. Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities is essential if we are to build a housing system that works for everyone. By improving access to safe housing, inclusive services and personalised support, we can help ensure that more people have not only a place to live, but a place where they truly belong.