Housing impacts LGBTQ+ people at every life stage

Nearly one in five LGBTQ+ people in the UK face homelessness at some point in their lifetime, according to Stonewall Housing.  

Homelessness is particularly acute among young LGBTQ+ individuals, who often experience housing insecurity due to family abandonment and lack of support.

Meanwhile, older citizens can face challenges accessing safe and inclusive housing options, avoiding stigma in more traditionally-minded communities.

Research examining the drivers of youth homelessness – commissioned by Commonweal and conducted by Homeless Link – found that protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity, increase young people’s risk of homelessness.  

According to the youth LGBTQ+ homelessness charity akt, nearly 24 percent of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced homelessness. Key driving factors include family rejection, discrimination and conflict, with 50% feeling at risk of eviction due to family discrimination. Insights from Homeless Link’s interview with akt further illustrate these challenges: 

“A majority of the people we support have been asked to leave or are kicked out of the family home due to cultural or religious differences, and sexuality or identity causing tension or conflict or a hostile environment in that house – they’ve been asked to leave or have [had] to leave because it is not welcoming or safe enough.”

Research indicates that LGBTQ+ youth who experience homelessness are more likely to face violence, develop substance use issues, and encounter sexual exploitation compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Additionally, poor mental health is strongly associated with being LGBTQ+, as highlighted in Homeless Link’s interview with akt: 

“Of the young people being asked to leave or kicked out of the family home [because of their sexuality or identity] the majority are black, brown, and people of colour. There are also a lot of crossovers…people have come in from certain religious backgrounds where their mental health hasn’t been looked at, or they would need much more advocacy because they don’t know their rights. They haven’t been able to talk to family about mental health or family haven’t been able to provide that support.” 

Unsurprisingly, the housing barriers LGBTQ+ individuals encounter persist into adulthood. Older members of the community are likely to have faced a lifetime of prejudice, discrimination and social exclusion, affecting their ability to integrate into communities like retirement homes.  

Commonweal is pleased to have funded two pieces of research investigating housing options for LGBT+ people later in life. In 2016, Stonewall Housing produced ‘Building Safe Choices’, which revealed that older LGBT+ people face limited housing options that deliver safety, security and community. This can often lead to isolation and the need to hide their identities, as one research participant highlighted: 

“Most do not have the support of children – unlike many non-LGBT older people, many of their peer age group are still homophobic, many care providers are from countries with a conservative or hostile view re: LGBT individuals and nobody should fear or actually go back into the closet in older age.” (Building Safe Choices online discussion participant.)

Developing on this research, in 2020, Stonewall and Tonic Housing surveyed over 620 LGBT+ people aged 50 and over in London. This was the largest survey of its kind, revealing a desire for safe housing, care and support services, alongside improved access to information on housing options. Respondents also emphasised the importance of policymakers and service providers recognising their diverse needs. 

In 2022, Tonic Housing opened Bankhouse, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirming retirement community. Located in Vauxhall, London, this groundbreaking initiative provides housing that celebrates LGBTQ+ identities and fosters community through various social activities.  

Since Tonic’s Bankhouse opened, the availability of housing options for older LGBTQ+ individuals remains few and far between, despite approximately 600,000 people aged 65 and older identifying as LGBTQ+. 

Stonewall Housing warns that safe spaces for the community are increasingly essential due to rising discrimination, homelessness and the cost of living crisis. Last year, the charity reported a 33% rise in individuals using their services, supporting 3,202 LGBTQ+ individuals facing homelessness from April 2023 to March 2024, up from 2,405 the previous year.  

Currently, figures on the precise number of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness at present are unknown, with the government acknowledging the absence of robust measurements.  

While the exact numbers may be uncertain, the housing challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community at every life stage are evident. There is a growing need for increased support for young LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as safe housing options for the older demographic.