LGBTQ+ people more likely to face homelessness than heterosexual peers, report states
LGBTQ+ people in Britain are more likely to experience homelessness than their heterosexual peers, according to a new report published by the Centre for Homelessness Impact.
Younger members of the community are more likely to enter foster or residential care and those with experience of this are at a higher risk of facing homelessness.
Mental health challenges were also found to be associated with adverse economic outcomes which can in turn lead to issues with having stable accommodation.
Dr Ligia Teixeira, Chief Executive of the Centre for Homelessness, said: “Young people who feel uncomfortable to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity may leave their family home before they might otherwise have done so or be forced to leave. “Accessing homelessness services may also present additional challenges or complexities for people who identify as LGBTQ+ meaning they are less likely to receive timely or appropriate support.” Titled ‘Sexuality, gender identity and homelessness’, the report acknowledges how much progress has been made in terms of equality and highlights a number of areas where issues still need to be addressed.
