Stonewall Housing, which provides specialist housing advice, advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, has published its Impact Report, which reveals a 33% increase in demand for its services, supporting 3,202 LGBTQ+ individuals who were homeless or at risk of homelessness between April 2023 and March 2024—up from 2,405 in the previous year.
As the only LGBTQ+ homelessness organisation supporting people of all ages, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the challenges within LGBTQ+ communities. Over a quarter (27.7%) of service users are trans and gender nonconforming and, according to the charity, they often face severe barriers in accessing safe housing. This latest data highlights what Stonewall Housing calls a “crisis point for the community”, revealing an “urgent need for specialised support” and awareness among mainstream housing providers.
The Impact Report found that LGBTQ+ discrimination and familial rejection is the highest driver of homelessness within LGBTQ+ communities with many individuals forced to leave family homes due to rejection based on societal prejudices, cultural beliefs, and misinformation about LGBTQ+ identities. Over a quarter (27%) of all cases involved instances of abuse, demonstrating a widespread and persistent need for safe, inclusive housing.
According to Stonewall Housing, the cost-of-living crisis has worsened the situation, “leaving LGBTQ+ people, trapped between choosing homelessness or remaining in unsafe, abusive environments”.