Every day, I receive private messages from transgender people—mostly trans women—asking for help. Some are on the edge of losing their housing. Some are already sleeping in their cars, couch surfing, or navigating dangerous shelters. In the last few weeks alone, I’ve gotten multiple messages from people desperately searching for support, asking, Do you know of any resources? Where can I go? What do I do next?
If you are one of those people, I wrote this for you. I see you. I love you. You matter. You will survive this, and you will thrive.
The Bigger Picture: Why Trans People Are Disproportionately Unhoused
Transgender people face some of the highest rates of housing insecurity in the United States. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality’s 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey—the most comprehensive data we currently have—nearly one in three trans people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. For Black and Indigenous trans women, that number is even higher.
There are a lot of reasons why this happens, and most of them aren’t about individual choices—they’re about systemic barriers:
- Family Rejection: Many trans people are forced out of their homes when they come out, especially in their teens. Even now, coming out can mean losing the roof over your head.
- Employment Discrimination: Even in states with legal protections, bias still keeps many trans people from stable jobs. Without income, paying rent becomes impossible.
- Healthcare Access and Costs: Transition-related care isn’t always covered by insurance. Many of us are forced to choose between food, meds, or rent.
- Shelter Discrimination: Many shelters are gendered and unsafe for trans people—especially trans women. Some refuse to house people in alignment with their identity. Others are openly hostile.
- Legal Documentation Issues: A mismatch between your ID and your appearance or name can cause problems with employment, housing applications, and shelter access.
All of this is made worse by the current wave of anti-trans legislation spreading across the country. Programs meant to help LGBTQ+ people are being defunded or dismantled in some states. It’s terrifying. And I’m not going to lie—some of the resources I found for this article may be gone in six months depending on what happens politically.
But we hold on. We look out for each other. We share what we know. So here is what I’ve put together so far.
Nationwide Resources for Unhoused Transgender People
Please note: this list is a starting point, not a complete directory. If you know of other programs, drop them in the comments. I’ll keep updating this.
Trans Lifeline Microgrants + Peer Support
🌐 translifeline.org
📞 Hotline (US): 877-565-8860
Trans Lifeline offers microgrants to help with legal name/gender changes, but they also offer peer support through their hotline. If you’re in crisis or need to talk, someone on the other end gets it. They’re also a great entry point for finding localized help.
Point of Pride
They offer trans health and wellness aid, including free binders and gaffs, electrolysis grants, HRT support, and surgery fund assistance. While not a housing org, they often partner with programs that can help trans people at risk of becoming unhoused.
The Trevor Project
🌐 thetrevorproject.org
📞 1-866-488-7386 (24/7 support line)
📱 Text START to 678-678
Primarily focused on LGBTQ+ youth under 25, The Trevor Project doesn’t offer housing directly but can connect young people in crisis with safe resources in their area.
True Colors United
Co-founded by Cyndi Lauper (yes, that Cyndi Lauper), this org focuses on ending youth homelessness with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ youth. They work with shelters and service providers to make spaces safer and more inclusive.
GLITS (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society)
Based in New York City but increasingly national in scope, GLITS is a Black trans-led org that does direct outreach, housing placement, and advocacy for trans people—especially Black trans women.
For the Gworls
This grassroots collective raises funds to help Black trans people with rent, gender-affirming surgeries, and medical co-pays. You can apply for direct aid through their website.
The Okra Project
While their main mission is food and wellness, they’ve also partnered with housing efforts and mutual aid networks. Their work focuses on Black trans people and community care.
LGBTQ+ Mutual Aid Networks
Across the country, mutual aid collectives are popping up to support unhoused and low-income trans people. These networks often provide:
- Emergency cash assistance via Venmo/CashApp
- Free meals or groceries
- Temporary housing or room shares
- Transportation to shelters or appointments
Try searching for:
- “[Your City] LGBTQ mutual aid”
- “Trans housing network + [State]”
- Reddit threads (like r/asktransgender or r/transgender)
- Instagram tags like #TransMutualAid or #LGBTQHousingHelp
These are often informal and constantly shifting, but some of the most life-saving support comes from community networks—not institutions.
Additional National Resources That May Help
- 211.org: Free, nationwide service to find local resources (shelters, food, health clinics)
- National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (for youth, not just teens)
- The Equality Federation: State-by-state list of LGBTQ+ organizations
A Note on State Programs
Many states and major cities have their own LGBTQ+ centers or trans-led organizations that provide housing assistance, but locating them can be challenging. Some states are actively defunding or blocking these programs, especially under the current political climate.
If you’re in a more supportive state (like California, New York, Illinois, or Oregon), look into:
- LGBTQ+ centers (often called “community resource centers” or “pride centers”)
- Health clinics with LGBTQ+ services
- Local nonprofit shelters that have affirming policies for trans people
- College or university LGBTQ+ groups (even if you’re not a student, they may have info)
If you’re in a less supportive state, be careful and prioritize safety first. It may be worth seeking out a national org that can help you relocate or access aid from afar.
The Bottom Line
I know this is a lot. And I know this list isn’t perfect. It breaks my heart to know that this is the state of things—that survival for trans people often depends on knowing the right links, DMing the right stranger, or hoping someone will post a mutual aid thread at just the right time.
I wish I could do more. But for now, this is what I can offer. To those of you who have reached out to me and to those who haven’t yet but are thinking about it: You are not a burden. You are not invisible. You are not broken.
Being unhoused is not your fault. Needing help does not make you weak. And your existence is not conditional on anyone’s approval. We have survived every system built to erase us—and we’re still here. You will survive this, too. You will find your way out. You will find home—whatever that looks like for you.
Please share this article with others who may need it. If you know of additional resources, drop them in the comments. I will continue to update this list as best I can. In the meantime, stay safe. Reach out. Ask for help. And remember:
I love you. I see you. You matter.
