Homeless LGBT Youth
Patricia Lynard
Literature Review
SOWK 469 Applied Social Work Research
Kofi Danso, Instructor
Minnesota State University, Mankato
March 6, 2013

Background/Intervention
Someone who identifies as homeless LGBT youth is someone who fits into three categories combine. Firstly, they are young usually between the ages of 13-17 years of age. They are also homeless which loosely describes a person without a regular dwelling. There are several reasons why someone may become homeless; some examples include financial difficulties or family problems that force someone out of their home. The last category is an individual who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). It is estimated that people who identify as LGBT make up 20% of the homeless population (Van Leeuwen, Boyle, Salomonsen-Sautel, Baker, Garcia, Hoffman, & Hopfer, 2006). When these categories are combined the individual is considered homeless LGBT youth, which is the focus of this literature review. The interventions for homeless LGBT youth are limited, but they can access local homeless shelters they however run the threat of being harassed by other people using the facilities for their sexual orientation. There a few organizations designed to help the homeless LGBT youth these interventions provide emergency housing for LGBT youth who have either been thrown out or have run away from their homes (Rosario, Schrimshaw, & Hunter, 2012).
Purpose
The purpose of this literature review is to examine factors that explain why there is a higher risk of becoming a homeless youth if individuals identify themselves as LGBT compared to someone who identifies as heterosexual. Also, why homeless LGBT youth have higher risks of physical and mental health problems, substance abuse issues, and how homeless LGBT youth are more likely to face dangers associated with their