OutProud Safe: Host Homes

What is Host Homes?

Our Host Home program provides safe, affirming, temporary housing for LGBTQIA+ youth aged 13-18 years old. Unlike many housing programs, our Host Home program is youth-driven, meaning youth decide the best option for them. Hosts are screened and trained community members who have a spare bedroom or two and are able to share resources with youth.

Our Host Home program supports marginalized youth and all of our host homes are LGBTQIA+ or strong, demonstrated allies.

• Host homes provide housing and food while youth figure out their next steps, with support from OutFront staff and case managers. OutFront staff will work with each youth, and the hosts, to make sure the process is as comfortable as possible. We'll connect youth to resources like housing, education, career support, and more while in the program.

• Our program supports LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-18 for up to a year.

• The Host Home program is not designed to fulfill emergency housing needs. The application and screening process can take 1-3 months before a youth is ready to move into a host home.

If you are a youth wanting to get into the program, or a youth worker referring a youth, contact Dell at 269.349.2534 or dell@outfrontkzoo.org for an application and referral form.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a host, please complete the embedded form on the bottom of this page or click here.