Housing and Social Justice
Housing is a foundational right that creates stability, increases wealth for individuals as well as the community as a whole, offers security, and access to education and career opportunities.
Part of our role as a provider of affordable housing on the Eastside is to use our platform, guided by our mission, vision and values, to educate ourselves and others about injustice so we can work to support equitable outcomes for marginalized groups in our communities and everywhere.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Housing Stability
Housing instability can affect people from many different backgrounds and circumstances, but individuals in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community are more likely to experience struggles with home and basic needs insecurity.
No matter the age, experiencing homelessness can have devastating and traumic consequences. Not only is it often harder for those in the LGBTQ+ individuals to find shelters that accept them, but they are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse, violence, and physical and sexual exploitation.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
LGBTQ+ people face discrimination when trying to rent apartments and secure mortgages, among other discrimination experiences related to housing. Certain groups of younger people are even more likely to experience housing instability, and the many harms accompanying these situations, especially LGBTQ+ youth. Every day of housing instability represents missed opportunities to support healthy development and transitions to productive adulthood.
Race and Housing Stability
Structures and systems in place are inherently unjust and rooted in white privilege, and have led to black communities disproportionately experiencing displacement, housing discrimination, poverty, and decreased earning potential.
In King County…
AS COMPARED TO
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Median Black and Hispanic households find fewer areas affordable to them in King County. Cost burden is unevenly distributed among King County residents. This results in black people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, evictions, and intergenerational poverty at a much higher rate.
Our commitment to practicing allyship cannot be only in response to tragic events – we must remain committed to this work when the world is not watching. That is when the real work begins.
We achieve progress through education, unlearning, and challenging the harmful stereotypes and bias each of us carries. We can’t do this work without you and your commitment Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Sources:
- King County Bar Housing Justice Project, 2022
- King County Regional Affordable Housing Dashboard, 2022
- National Coalition for the Homeless, 2020
- Beauty Schools Directory, “How to Be an Ally for LGBTQ+ Experiencing Homelessness,” 2022
- Prison Policy Initiative, 2019
- UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, “Homelessness Amount LGBT Adults in the US,” 2020
- UCLA School of Law Williams Institute, “Serving Our Youth,” 2020
- Voices of Youth Count, “Missed Opportunities,” 2017