Hope House - Residential Center for Homeless LGBT Youth
Open AccessABSTRACT“Hope House” Gay and transgender youth make up about 5 to 10 percent of the general youth population, yet account for a disproportionate 40 percent of homeless youth. In fact, the number one cause for youth homelessness in America is domestic conflict that occurs when a gay/transgender youth comes out to a disapproving family. It is estimated that about 550,000 Americans between 14 and 24 years old are homeless at some point in a given year. Every hour of every day in America, about 25 gay and transgender youth are thrown out of there homes with nowhere to go. This growing problem is compounded by two unfortunate realities: 1) Traditional homeless shelters are too often unsafe and unwelcoming for gay/transgender youth, and in many cases, these children are routinely denied services, especially by religious-affiliated organizations; 2) There are very few homeless shelters dedicated specifically for gay/transgender youth, because they are expensive to build & maintain and there is virtually no government funding to support them, relying almost solely on private donations. Beyond the loss of a basic home and shelter, these young people are experiencing an unimaginable storm of emotions: despair, isolation, abandonment, hopelessness, shame, fear, loss, loneliness, desperation, and helplessness, among others. If these conditions are not addressed, these vulnerable gay/transgender youth are far more likely to experience difficulty, adversity, or even death, compared to their straight counterparts. Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) youth are 7.4 times more likely to be sexually victimized and they are more than twice as likely to drop out of school and commit suicide. These young people seek more than just a warm bed and a hot meal. Above all, they need protection & safety. LGBT students often face harassment, both physical and verbal, in school which leads to high dropout rates. Gay and transgender students are two-times less likely to finish high school or pursue a college education compared to the national average. Other troubling statistics include: 86 percent of LGBT students reported being verbally harassed at school due to their sexual orientation; 44 percent of LGBT students reported being physically harassed at school because of their sexual orientation; 22 percent of LGBT students reported having been physically attacked in school, with 60 percent saying they did not report the incidents, because they believed no one would care. Beyond physical security, these young people need acceptance, understanding, a sense of belonging and family, and a home where they are welcomed and valued. This thesis proposes to design a transitional housing and resource center for homeless gay/transgender youth in central Washington, DC, that is safe, inclusive, and home-like. To address the issue of cost, the multifunctional center serves specific community needs by providing a much-needed, moderately-sized, revenue-generating covered parking lot for the congested urban area. Additionally, the ground level of the center engages the surrounding neighborhood in a positive way by incorporating an indoor/outdoor community event space. Hope House will be a model and prototype that can be replicated, customized, and scaled in communities across America, according to specific needs. This thesis does not solve the overwhelming problem of gay/transgender youth homelessness, but it begins the discussion to find lasting solutions for communities of all sizes. It explores these youths’ emotions and their need for a sense of belonging and acceptance. The center’s design cannot heal their wounds, but it fosters an environment for healing and growth that all young people need during their transition into adulthood. This project will provide residents a physical shelter, but more importantly, it will give them a shelter in a storm of despair and a place to call home, providing some sense of hope. Harvey Milk once said: “I know you cannot live on Hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you...and you...and you...you gotta give them Hope.”
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Fehrenbach_gwu_0075M_12640.pdf | 2018-01-16 | Open Access |
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