Housing Instability and Financial Hardship Among Sexual Minority Young Adults: Examining Risks and Access to Assistance

Background and Purpose: Homelessness in the U.S. have increased over the decades, exacerbated by the housing crisis and the rising cost of living. Youth homelessness has grown annually since 2010, with sexual minority young adults (SMYA) facing heightened risks. Despite evidence that SYMYA earn lower incomes than their heterosexual peers, little research has examined financial hardship as a pathway into homelessness. Additionally, while discrimination against sexual minorities in the housing market is well-documented, it is unclear whether SMYA receive governmental housing assistance at an equitable rate.

This study aims to address these gaps by investigating homelessness and housing instability among SMYA, while also focusing on financial hardship and access to housing assistance. Research Questions: (1) Do SMYA experience higher rates of homelessness and housing instability than their heterosexual peers? and (2) Are they able to access housing assistance equitably?

Hypotheses: (1) SMYA experience significantly higher rates of homelessness and housing instability; (2) SMYA are significantly more likely to experience homelessness due to financial hardship; and (3) SMYA are significantly less likely to access publicly available housing resources.

This research aims to examine the overlooked financial aspect of SMYA’s housing instability. Findings could provide insights for policymakers and practitioners in developing more targeted interventions. Furthermore, this study has the potential to inform policy changes by uncovering barriers that prolong SMYA housing instability.

Methods: Data and Sample: This study utilizes data from Wave 7 of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS). After accounting for missing data, the final sample consists of 2,936 participants aged 21 to 26.

Measures: The independent variable is sexual orientation, categorized as heterosexual, gay or lesbian, and bisexual+ (including bisexual, pansexual, or non-binary individuals). Homelessness and housing instability are measured using self-reported shelter stays and current housing status. Financial hardship-related housing instability is assessed via inability to pay rent and moving in with others due to financial issues. Access to government housing aid is measured by public housing and rent assistance receipt.

Analysis: Logistic regression and ordered regression analyses were used to examine associations between sexual orientation and the outcome variables.

Results: In this sample of young adults from the FFCWS, the odds of experiencing general homelessness and housing instability for bisexual+ young people are 2.41 times higher than for heterosexual young people. The results also showed that all SMYA were significantly more likely to experience homelessness and housing instability due to financial hardship. Lastly, the results showed that the odds of receiving rental assistance for gay or lesbian young adults are more than three times higher than for heterosexual young adults.

Conclusions and Implications: The evidence supports two hypotheses regarding experiences of homelessness and housing instability among SMYA, highlighting financial burdens as a major driver of these experiences. However, the findings refute the hypothesis that SMYA are significantly less likely to receive publicly available housing resources. However, the measure used in this study does not capture true “access” to these resources, which should be addressed in future research.