#PrideMonth Announcement: VYH Launches the First LGBTQ+ focused Host Homes program in Pennsylvania!

Since 2009, Valley Youth House has provided LGBTQ+ young people with the support they need to overcome barriers and achieve housing stability. In collaboration with the Homeward Initiative, Point Source Youth, and the Pride Task Force, Host Homes are a community-based response to the crisis of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.  Host Homes provide an LGBTQ+ young person ages 18-25 who is experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia with a safe, welcoming, and affirming private and dedicated space for 1-6 months.

We place youth experiencing homelessness with vetted and caring adults – the hosts – who welcome the youth into their homes and provide shelter, food and mentorship while they work with their case manager to secure stable housing. Through this supported connection, young people will not only be provided with a safe and stable living environment, but also build meaningful connections with caring individuals in their community.

“VYH’s Pride Program has been serving queer and trans young people experiencing housing instability in Philadelphia since 2008. Our LGBTQ+ focused Host Homes program the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, and is the result of a collaboration between multiple agencies and the young people we work with to develop evidence based, community resourced solutions to ending youth homelessness.” – Zahra Cornelius, VYH Pride Program Supervisor

Learn more or become a host home HERE.