Housing Resources and Information for 2SLGBTQIA+ People
Resources included here are for educational purposes only and do not indicate affiliation or partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
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The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is particularly vulnerable to housing discrimination, insecurity, and homelessness.
The Washington State LGBTQ Commission has heard from many 2SLGBTQIA+ community members across Washington that finding accepting housing is one of their biggest struggles. The LGBTQ+ community represents a disproportionate amount of people nationwide experiencing homelessness, as well as housing discrimination, especially LGTBQ+ youth.
Below, several research papers and surveys have detailed the epidemic within the LGBTQ+ community and the associated risks that follow with homelessness. For anyone experiencing homelessness or housing discrimination, there are various accepting shelters, housing resources, and rights listed here to better understand anti-discrimination laws.
Local organizations focused on housing for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
- Washington's first LGBTIQIA+ senior housing community in Capitol Hill, Seattle.
- LGBTQ+ affirming youth shelter in Snohomish County. They work in the areas of housing, prevention, education, and employment.
- Civil and human rights organization based in Seattle advocating for the needs of LGBTQ people. GJL’s Housing Archives lists several resources for housing, including housing for formerly incarcerated, survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence, and immigrant LGBTQ+ communities.
- QLaw Foundation of Washington promotes LGBTQ+ rights through the legal system and provides legal counsel to members of the community in need. Note: Due to overwhelming demand, QLaw is at capacity and has paused their legal request form.
- The Lavender Rights Project advocates for the Black intersex and gender diverse community by providing resources such as their Housing Justice Program.
TRACTION - Trans Community Action
- TRACTION is a non-profit supporting transgender and gender-diverse people in underserved communities.
State agency website pages around housing access and discrimination.
Washington State Human Rights Commission
- The WSHRC is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on a protected class, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity, and HIV status, please file a complaint with the WSHRC.
Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity In Housing
- Information from the WSHRC on how the Fair Housing Act protects LGBTQ people from discrimination.
- Information from the WSHRC on hate & bias crimes in Housing in Washington state.
Washington State Attorney General's Office Wing Luke Civil Rights Division
- Working closely with the state Human Rights Commission, the AGO's Wing Luke Civil Rights Division addresses cases concerning discrimination.
Homelessness Response - Washington Department of Commerce
- To learn about Washington state's response to homelessness, visit the Department of Commerce's Homelessness Response page.
Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) - Washington Department of Commerce
- The Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) provides resources, grants, and supports efforts to eliminate youth homelessness in Washington
Homelessness Lived Experience Advisory Committee
- The Homelessness Assistance Unit (HAU) Lived Experience Advisory Committee provides insight, perspective, ideas and recommendations that make homeless crisis response systems across Washington better, stronger, and more equitable.
Students Experiencing Homelessness
- Information and resources from OSPI for students who are experiencing homelessness and the McKinney-Vento Act.
Articles, FAQs and more around 2SLGBTQIA+ Housing Issues
- Pride Foundation details the importance of addressing homelessness within the LGBTQ+ community, especially addressing youth homelessness in Washington.
Understanding LGBTQ Homelessness
- The National Coalition for the Homeless address the disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness across the nation, specifically the discrimination they may face accessing shelters or the potential abuse they may face within shelters.
HRC - The Fair and Equal Housing Act
- HRC details LGBTQ+ housing discrimination protections across the U.S. and outlines the Fair and Equal Housing Act, a bill that was introduced in the 118th Congress.
FAQ on the Educational Rights of Children & Youth in Homeless Situations
- The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth has compiled an FAQ about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Many studies and reports show that 2SLGBTQIA+ people are disproportionately affected by housing issues.
Washington LGBTQ+ Survey Results
- The WA LGBTQ+ Survey Report of 2025 found that around 20% of surveyed LGBTQ+ individuals are either temporarily staying with friends or family, living in a shelter/car/outside, or couch surfing.
Homeless Student Data and Legislative Reports - OSPI
- Reports on homelessness in our youth population from OSPI.
Homelessness Among LGBT Adults in the US - The Williams Institue
- Study from 2020 around how homelessness disproportionately impacts LGBT adults.
LGBT People and Housing Affordability, Discrimination, and Homelessness - The Williams Institute
- 2020 Report around accessibility of secure housing within the LGBT community.
LGBTQ Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers
- A report from Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago on LGBTQ young adult homelessness.
- This report from the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry details the public health aspect of LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness as well as the associated risks, such as increased mental health risks, sexual abuse, and substance use.
- Report from The Trevor Project on the connection between homelessness and LGBTQ+ youth mental health.
Digital guides and tools that support 2SLGBTQIA+ people in navigating housing discrimination or housing insecurity.
ACLU Washington - Homelessness
- Resources from ACLU WA on homelessness and housing rights.
Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center Housing Resources
- Resources compiled by Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center around housing.
Queer Youth Resource Center Housing and Homelessness Services
- Resources compiled by QYRC in Southwest WA around housing.
King County Trans Resource & Referral Guide - Housing & Shelter
- The King County Trans Housing and Shelter Archives provides a list of resources to low-income housing, emergency shelters, and transitional housing.
National LGBTQ+ Housing Initiative - SAGE
- National effort led by SAGE to advocate for affordable housing for LGBTQ+ elders.
Working With Homeless LGBTQ Youth - Lamba Legal
- Guide from Lambda Legal for professionals working with LGBTQ youth around homelessness.
Know Your Rights: Housing and Homelessness - A4TE
- Information from Advocates for Trans Equality on housing and homelessness for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Under RCW 43.114.050, the duties of the LGBTQ Commission include providing a clearinghouse for information regarding both state and federal legislation as it relates to our purpose and providing resource and referral information to agencies and the public. While the LGBTQ Commission does not provide direct services, we work to connect constituents with affirming supports across the state through our collaboration with state agencies and community organizations. If you can't find what you are looking for here, reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov or use our contact form and a Commission staff member will get back to you.