Housing crisis for Toronto's LGBTQ homeless youth: City Street Needs Assessment demonstrates need for action

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Last week the City of Toronto released its interim report on the Street Needs Assessment conducted on April 17, 2013.  The report indicated that 20% of youth in the shelter system identify as LGBTQ, more than twice the rate for all age groups. The 2013 Assessment was the first time the City of Toronto included LGBTQ identity in the survey.

"Although 20% is high, we have reasons to believe that the prevalence of LGBTQ youth homelessness in Toronto is in fact even higher," shared Alex Abramovich, a Doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto studying LGBTQ youth homelessness in Toronto. "For example, many youth choose to not come out as queer or trans to volunteers conducting the survey for a variety of reasons that often relate to them not feeling safe. Countless LGBTQ youth don't complete the survey."

Identifying LGBTQ youth in these environments is often very difficult because they are part of what is known as Toronto's "hidden homeless population" who do not access services. In the case of LGBTQ youth, this is often because of homophobia and transphobia in the shelter system and drop-in programs.

"The issue of LGBTQ youth homelessness has been inadequately addressed for far too long," stated Maura Lawless, Executive Director of The 519 with nearly two-decades of experience in homeless and housing services. "Significant changes must be implemented in the shelter system and specialized housing must be created in order for the needs of queer and trans youth to be met."

The 519 Church Street Community Centre is an agency of the City of Toronto with a mandate for building healthier, more welcoming communities for Toronto's downtown and LGBTQ residents. As a public-private partnership of the City, The 519 receives core funding to maintain public access to its building while attracting individual, corporate and government investment in its programs. In 2012, The 519 will receive more than $2.14 in community investment for every dollar provided in core funding. Through innovative and engaging community programs and partnerships, The 519 enables over 195,000 people to meet, participate and celebrate together.

SOURCE: The 519 Church Street Community Centre

Richard Rhyme, Communications Specialist 416-355-6777, [email protected]