Many families abandon individuals who come out as LGBTQ+. Approximately 40% of homeless teens identify within this community. Additionally, many who leave at a young age are doing so to avoid abuse and their guardians are aware of their departure.
A lack of financial stability provided from the family may contribute to homelessness. Initially, these individuals may face homelessness together, but later get separated by shelters, transitional housing, or child welfare policies, like foster care.
Foster care contributes to homelessness because many leave the system earlier to avoid bad experiences and trauma. Some who live in residential or institutional placements become homeless upon discharge. They are too old for foster care but are discharged with no housing or income support.
Treat them like any other human being, there’s no need to treat them any differently
Greet them with a smile or lend an ear instead of making faces at them or pointing
If you feel uncomfortable giving them money or you don’t have much to spare, you can ask them what else you can do to help
“Use this money for food, not drugs”, “I'm not going to give you money, you’re just going to use it on drugs or alcohol”
Don't assume they’re going to use money to buy alcohol or drugs, and don’t tell them that either
Get a job or Get help
Again, don’t assume that they haven’t tried getting help or taking steps to better their situation. Not all problems will be fixed if they just ask for help or ask for a job
Sometimes, those experiencing homelessness do have a job but it’s not enough to support themselves (and any family they may have to support as well)
High housing prices and low wages contribute to homelessness
Go to a shelter, stay off the streets
Believe it or not, shelters can actually be more dangerous than staying on the streets.
There’s also limited space and resources in shelters -- not enough to go around
Its their choice, some people just don’t align with the practices of shelters or feel more comfortable not living in them
Why is somelike like YOU living on the streets
You don’t know their whole story - how they got here, why they’re here - everyone has their reasons and you shouldn’t assume their situation
Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. Any person can experience homelessness, no matter what they look like, who they are, or what social status they’re in at the moment