Providing a Safe Space for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth

In this installment of our series on OutFront's programs and services, we are highlighting our Host Homes Program - an initiative to find supportive volunteer homes in the area to address the needs of LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13 to 24) who are faced with homelessness. Host Homes is a collaborative effort and partnership with CARES that focuses on the LGBTQ+ youth housing crisis in Southwest Michigan. In this interview, OutFront spoke with Director of Homeless Youth Programs and Host Homes Case Manager Hunter Willard.

OFK: When was the program started?

HW: The Host Homes program was started as a partnership between OutFront Kalamazoo and CARES of Southwest Michigan by my predecessor, Sara Jacobs, about three years ago. Before Host Homes, the program was run by Sara at CARES and was called Out Proud Safe.

OFK: What was the intention of the program when it began?

HW: The intention of the Host Homes program was to create short-term host homes and families to provide a safe, temporary, welcoming space for up to six months. At its core, we are trying to avoid our youth being placed in the foster care system. Another goal for the program when it started was to repair the youth’s relationship with their family of origin or make decisions about their housing options with the support of a caring case manager. We also intended on addressing community needs in the short-term housing system, and we wanted to educate the community about the dangers of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness and what rural homelessness looks like. All of these goals are still at the forefront of the program.

OFK: Why do we need this program?

HW: Well, we know that LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness. We also know that 40% of unhoused youth are LGBTQ+, while only 7% of youth are LGBTQ+ nationally. Of that population, 60% are likely to attempt suicide. LGBTQ+ youth are also seven times more likely to participate in survival sex than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Experiencing homelessness is often traumatic and can have an effect into other areas of an individual’s life, including an interruption in education. Youth of the streets are more likely to be exploited, trafficked, assaulted or coerced by predators, lack access to medical and mental health care, and lack the necessary food and shelter to survive. Safe and stable housing with positive adult caretakers and relationships is a necessity to ensure that our youth can thrive.

OFK: How has the program grown?

HW: The Host Homes program has grown exponentially within the past couple of years. Not only have we been able to provide housing resources and opportunities to youth across the city of Kalamazoo, but we have also brought together several caring and compassionate families who are interested in providing a space for a youth in their homes. We have partnered with local resources and organizations to provide things like food and employment opportunities, and we’ve begun working with OutFront Kalamazoo’s Faith Alliance to offer religious family reconciliation services.

OFK: What does the program have planned for the future?

HW: Currently, we are developing even better support systems for Host Families and youth. In partnering with other LGBTQ+ organizations such as the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, we will be able to put individuals in contact with LGBTQ+ accepting food pantries, mental health care, and other resources across multiple counties. We will also be able to provide housing opportunities for youth in a larger area than we have before. We also intend on, upon reaching a critical mass of Host Families, developing support groups and services for individuals who are interested in becoming or have been a Host Family.