LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to experience hidden homelessness
It's according to new research by the University of Kent
LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to experience hidden homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers, according to new national research by the University of Kent.
Commissioned by national homelessness charity akt, the study finds trans young people face disproportionately high levels of hidden homelessness, such as sofa surfing, sleeping in cars, or staying in unsafe temporary accommodation.
The research also reveals that only 10% of local housing services cater exclusively to LGBTQ+ young people, while 59% of mainstream service providers do not consider LGBTQ+ support a priority.
Dr Carin Tunåker, lead researcher for the project and Lecturer in Law, specialising in homelessness and inequalities at Kent Law School, said: ‘Our research findings show a worrying picture of LGBTQ+ homelessness in the UK and that the situation is far from improving.
"The government and local authorities need to recognise the challenges that LGBTQ+ people are facing and safeguard them by considering intersecting needs, such as how a person’s sexual orientation, race, gender identity and disabilities impact their experience of homelessness."
Akt’s service figures show that 77% of the young people they support say family rejection and abuse after coming out or being outed as the primary reason for their homelessness while 22% of referrals to akt experience homelessness because of hostile living conditions or domestic abuse.
Adam Pemberton Wickham, Chief Executive of akt, said: ‘No young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are. This report shows that LGBTQ+ young people are slipping through the cracks of homelessness prevention and support.
"Hidden homelessness is a growing crisis, yet it remains unrecorded in government data, overlooked in media discussions, and neglected in mainstream services. A one-size-fits-all approach to tackling homelessness simply does not work."