Castro Youth Housing Initiative

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth are more likely to become homeless or have unstable living situations than their heterosexual peers. Community representatives and business leaders in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco developed the Castro Youth Housing Initiative to serve homeless youth that specializes in services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth.

The Castro Youth Housing Initiative provides housing and complementary programs such as life skills training, referrals for mental health and/or substance abuse counseling. Each resident is assigned a case manager who helps them access Larkin Street's full continuum of care and training programs including job placement and employment programs. The overall focus of the housing facility is to foster support among residents and provide mentorship from understanding adults.

To meet the housing needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth ages 18-24.

In 2009, the Castro Youth Initiatve provided an average of 56 case management sessions and 87 individual independent living skills sessions each month. Among youth who exited the program, 77% transitioned to stable housing.