The second in a series of Research-to-Impact briefs by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago on understanding and addressing youth homelessness. Missed Opportunities: LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in America highlights research related to the specific experiences of young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) and face homelessness. The study learned that, compared to heterosexual and nontransgender youth, LGBTQ youth are disproportionately represented among the nearly 4.2 million youth and young adults in America who experienced some form of homelessness during a 12-month period. They also face a higher risk of early death and other adversities.

On the positive side, this research points to actionable opportunities to better meet the needs of LGBTQ young people in our collective efforts to end youth homelessness. The report highlights critical systemic changes that could be made now to address LGBTQ youth homelessness. Voices of Youth Count identifies implications and recommendations for policymakers, leaders of public systems, and practitioners that can be leveraged to make changes. Recommendations are intended to serve as the beginning of a dialogue about tangible changes to the nation’s laws, regulations, systems, and programs, not as an end point. Voices of Youth Count will speak to the evidence while seeking solutions.