Host Homes
What is Host Homes?
Host Homes an innovative, community response to youth homelessness. By focusing our efforts on the needs of LGBTQ+ young adults (18-24), we aim to provide them with safe places to live in San Francisco. 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.
Want to become a Host?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions here.
Call Karessa Irvin, Host Homes Program Manager, 415-865-5541 or email HostHomes@sfcenter.org.
Learn More About Host Homes
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