Risk factors of homelessness among sexual and gender minorities in the Southeastern US

Homelessness disproportionately impacts sexual and gender minority (SGM) people, however, few studies have examined factors that predict homelessness among SGM adults. The present secondary analysis of a survey of SGM adults living in the Southeastern U.S. in 2016 (N = 427) assessed factors associated with report of past or current homelessness, which was endorsed by 17% of participants. Congruent with our hypotheses, past socioeconomic status (SES), current SES, mental health, and race were all significant predictors and accounted for 50.5% of variance in homelessness in this population. Discrimination and housing access difficulties did not account for a significant portion of variance over and above these factors. Factors contributing to poverty and psychological distress are needed to address housing disparities for SGM adults. Discrimination factors may have become more salient since 2016. Future research is warranted to better support SGM individuals, particularly those living in the South.