No Young Person Should Have to Experience Homelessness
Nearly 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, despite making up only 5-7% of the general youth population—and housing instability impacts LGBTQ+ youth of color at even higher rates.
Whether due to familial rejection or other challenges they may face at home, we believe that no young person should have to experience homelessness.
Pride Foundation takes a multi-faceted and dynamic approach in our work to address the barriers faced by youth experiencing homelessness across our five-state region.
How We Address Youth Homelessness
Community Grants Program Investments
Last year, more than 40% of our Community Grants went to youth development groups and organizations, many of which were dedicated to supporting system-involved youth who have, or are at-risk of, experiencing homelessness.
Scholarship Program
Last year, 46% of our scholarships were awarded to LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness.
Homeless Youth Initiative
In December 2012, with generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Pride Foundation announced a four-year initiative to confront the growing challenge of youth homelessness. Since then, this work has expanded into Alaska and Montana, where Pride Foundation continues to fund innovative, collaborative approaches that build the capacity of service providers to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
Montana Convenings and Coalition Building
In order to address this systemic and complex issue in Montana, Pride Foundation has hosted and participated in convenings and coalitions in every corner of the state. Some of these include the Montana Summit on Youth Homelessness, Montana Funders Convening on Youth Homelessness, as well as an appointment to the Youth Justice Council, focused on Juvenile Justice Reform.
Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project
In early 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $33 million in funding to ten communities to participate in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)—a multi-year program intended to help communities reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness. Of the 130 cities across the country that submitted applications, Seattle/King County and Anchorage were 2 of the 10 selected communities. Since then, Pride Foundation staff and board have been fortunate to participate in both of these efforts.