Program Spotlight: LGBTQI+ Shelter Diversion Program
In three days, Miss Z, a transgender woman, was going to be homeless. She’d been living in a hotel since losing her home six months earlier, but her savings were almost gone, and she could only afford three more nights.
A local social service provider had been working with Miss Z, but believed Miss Z might have experienced harassment (like many in the LGBTQ+ community) that made it difficult to trust traditional providers. So, they referred Miss Z to FrontLine’s LGBTQI+ Shelter Diversion Specialist, Cassadi Hanley.
Cassadi immediately called Miss Z and asked how she could help. Miss Z shared that she had experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of family, friends, and strangers. Her history included being sexually assaulted at a homeless shelter—and she did not feel safe returning to one.
Miss Z had monthly income, but it wasn’t enough to change her situation. Cassadi engaged NEOCH’s Queer Youth Outreach and Engagement Manager to assist Miss Z to find an apartment. In the meantime, Cassadi contacted Miss Z every other day to check on her and make sure she had food and hygiene items.
With NEOCH’s support, Miss Z was approved for an apartment she could afford—but she wouldn’t be able to move in for several weeks. With a plan in place for safe, stable, housing, FrontLine and NEOCH supported Miss Z until she could move in. Cassadi helped Miss Z move into a new hotel and educated a staff member at the hotel about Miss Z’s pronouns, so there would be someone on-site who communicated with her respectfully.
Cassadi developed a plan to cover the cost of the hotel—Miss Z paid for the first week, NEOCH paid for the second, and with support from United Way of Greater Cleveland, FrontLine covered the last week of the hotel stay, the security deposit, and the first month’s rent. Cassadi helped Miss Z obtain furniture for her apartment, and continued to check on her until she knew Miss Z was settled. Miss Z has been living independently in her apartment for 6 months.
The experience was impactful for both Miss Z and Cassadi.
"To meet people who feel like the world has forgotten about them...and to see a little bit of light come back is the most rewarding experience that I've had in my career," Cassadi said.
*FrontLine launched Cuyahoga County’s LGBTQ+ Diversion program in January 2022 with support from United Way of Greater Cleveland. The program provides mediation and case management to prevent and reduce homelessness for the disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ adults who experience it. Since launching the program, the environment for LGBTQ+ adults has become more hostile. In the first six months of 2023, U.S. states have passed 75 anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In June 2023, The Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans.
Keep track of anti-trans laws in the U.S. by visiting translegislation.com