LGBTQ+ Young Adult Homelessness Issue Brief

In Milwaukee and across the nation, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) young people experience homelessness at alarming numbers. In fact, since 2018, LGBTQ+ young adults represent 51% of those served in Pathfinders housing programs.   

This Issue Brief provides a deep dive on the challenge of LGBTQ+ young adult homelessness, including:  

• • What this issue looks like in Milwaukee, 
  • What we’re seeing – and hearing from young people — at Pathfinders, 
  • Why LGBTQ+ young people are so over-represented among those experiencing homelessness and 
  • What solutions are available at the service system and policy levels to change this trajectory. 

Housing is essential to young people’s safety and stability. So is access to support that welcomes and affirms young people’s identities. Pathfinders is deeply committed to being a safe resource for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis in the Milwaukee community and we are proud to uplift the voices of the youth we serve to inform our shared way forward. 

For more information on this topic, check out National Network for Youth’s Spring 2023 Policy Brief, LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness.