Building inclusive housing support for LGBTQ+ communities

Homelessness and insecure housing disproportionately affect all LGBTQ+ people, irrespective of age. However, increasing the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in housing services remains a challenge. Our report looks at how and where LGBTQ+ people are considered in the design and delivery of housing services. We heard directly from local authorities and housing associations, to understand how we can develop a more responsive and inclusive housing sector.

Key findings include:

Most organisations surveyed feel that their understanding of the proportion of people who use their service who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual is more accurate (55 per cent) than trans and non-binary people (45 per cent).

Interviewees identified issues relating to individual disclosure of sexual orientation and gender identity as the main barriers to improving data collection on LGBTQ+ homelessness.

More than eight out of ten (85 per cent) organisations surveyed say that their data capture could be improved to be more inclusive of a range of gender identities.

Interviewees felt existing data categories on gender identity are restrictive.

Perceptions in confidence to support LGBTQ+ people are high.

Net confidence ratings for supporting lesbian people (93 per cent), gay (93 per cent), bisexual (94 per cent), trans (90 per cent) and non-binary (84 per cent) people.

More than two fifths (44 per cent) of those surveyed have not received training on LGBTQ+ inclusion or LGBTQ+ homelessness.

Nearly one fifth (19 per cent) of organisations do not reference LGBTQ+ homelessness or LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in any of their policies, procedures, and strategies and 18% were not aware.

Interviewees highlighted gaps in staff knowledge of LGBTQ+ homelessness and LGBTQ+ identities as obstacles to delivering consistent inclusive services.

Just 15 per cent of the organisations surveyed tailor their communications to reach LGBTQ+ communities.

Share a prewritten tweet about our report

Latest

Marking a year of akt in the East Midlands

The UK’s LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity marks first year of dedicated work in the east midlands. akt is here to help LGBTQ+ young people aged 16 to 25, rural or city based, with their housing needs. LGBTQ+ young people have a right to live authentically, in safety and without abuse.
Statement: 2023 Hate Crime Statistics
black history month 2023

October is black history month, an important time for reflection and action in the globe.
Ellie's Story

Ellie is a young trans woman who first came to akt looking for support with her transition. She had experienced anxiety and depression and had struggled to find work due to the bullying she experienced in her last job.