Imagine FOYER OF PHILADELPHIA

The Gap

According to the Department of Human Services (DHS),  LGBTQ youth enter the foster care system at a disproportionately high rate because of homophobia and transphobia in their homes, schools and social settings.  Once in the foster care system, LGBTQ youth report being at high risk of discrimination and harassment in the very settings where they are placed to be protected from abuse.

In a recent report of Philadelphia youth aging out of care, the majority of the participating youth were homeless within three months of leaving care and 2 out of 5 were immediately homeless upon discharge.  Many of the surveyed youth expressed frustration about the lack of services or housing to aid them with their transition from care.

In an effort to address this issue of homelessness and provide services for youth aging out of foster care,  Pennsylvania has developed three housing programs that are state-funded programs, which provide housing for youth who are aging out of foster care and/or youth who are runaway and homeless between the ages of 18 to 21.  None of these programs are designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ youth. 

Programs that are in existence are:

  • SIL Supervised Independent Living
  • TLP Transitional Living Program
  • SHP Supportive Housing Program
In total these programs serve 313 youth between the ages of 16 to 21.  There is an estimated 3,275 homeless youth in the city of Philadelphia.  Despite the overwhelming evidence placing LGBTQ youth at a higher risk for being placed in foster care and ending up homeless, there is no transitional housing in the city of Philadelphia providing LGBTQ  youth a safe place to live with the support of program specially designed for their needs. 

Closing the Gap

Foyer of Philadelphia addresses the need for housing for LGBTQ youth who are aging out of foster care or homeless.  FOP is committed to creating an environment that is inclusive, safe, and healthy.  By understanding homophobia/transphobia and its profound effect on a developing young persons' sense of identity and self esteem, FOP levels the playing field so that these young people are given an equal opportunity for experiential learning as well as psychosocial support.  FOP provides all the necessary components needed to achieve self-sufficiency and independence.