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Pilot Program For Homeless LGBTQ Youth Progressing Well

Tana Weingartner
/
WVXU

It's been almost a year since Cincinnati was chosen as one of just two cities to pilot a federal LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative.

During a site visit Wednesday, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Senior Advisor Jennifer Ho said Cincinnati is doing well and ready to move from planning to doing.

"They're getting ready to implement a lot things that they've been talking about and building consensus on," says Ho. "This next chapter is really where there's an opportunity to do more trainings, to start some different kinds of data collection, to put into play what all the committees have been working on for the last year."

A director is expected to be hired soon to coordinate the Safe & Supported program.

Ho says Cincinnati is well ahead of Houston, the other pilot city, because many agencies here were already working together.

Lighthouse says LGBTQ youth account for 40 percent of the homeless youth population.

Credit Tana Weingartner / WVXU
/
WVXU
A Lighthouse Youth Services warehouse collects and distributes donated home goods to homeless youth who are transitioning into housing.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.