Host Homes

Host Homes an innovative, community response to youth housing crisis. LGBTQ+ young adults (18-24) are paired with temporary San Francisco community hosts and receive case management services to help them secure stable housing.

Host Homes staff work diligently to ensure that matches between hosts and guests are made based on aligned values, interests, and lifestyles. 

Hosts and guests are provided a number of supports from the SF LGBT Center, including training, regular check-ins, and stipends based on need and availability. Our goal is to house 10-15 youth in San Francisco for 3-12 months while providing case management that leads to stable housing.

Host homes are currently being used in numerous cities across the United States, including: Minneapolis, Baltimore, Louisville, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Cincinnati, Rochester, Seattle, and others. Each community uniquely implemented the host home program to fit the needs of their youth. The SF LGBT Center will do the same.

The SF LGBT Center is piloting Host Homes with support from Point Source Youth and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

Call Karessa Irvin, Host Homes Program Manager, 415-865-5541 or email HostHomes@sfcenter.org.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here.

The SF LGBT Center Host Homes program is endorsed by: 

City Treasurer Jose Cisneros

San Francisco Chronicle: Would you take in a homeless person? San Francisco hopes you’ll say yes

San Francisco Public Press: Host Homes Could Get Young Adults Off Streets

Project Censored: Host Homes Could Get San Francisco’s 1,200 Homeless Youth Off the Streets

Avenues for Homeless Youth: Hosting a Youth 

Point Source Youth