On Sept. 24, Equality California hosted a housing town hall at Fresno’s Tower District, shedding light on the housing crisis affecting the LGBTQ+ community, bringing together both youth and adult activists to discuss the urgent need for safe and inclusive spaces.
Advocates from the Central Valley shared personal, deeply moving stories, emphasizing four key areas of concern: environmental factors, socioeconomic barriers, competition in the housing market, and access to secure housing. The movement aims to inform future housing advocacy efforts across the region.
In the Central Valley, homelessness and access to housing assistance have reached a critical point, with the LGBTQ+ community facing heightened housing insecurity due to their identities. According to the Trevor Project, 40% of LGBTQ+ youth begin their independent lives prematurely after being abandoned or rejected by their families. This stark reality highlights the urgency for activists and advocates to prioritize securing safe stable housing for LGBTQ+ youth and adults who continue to face these challenges.
For many LGBTQ+ individuals, being their authentic selves remains a significant challenge. The struggle for self-expression, often stifled by a heteronormative society, resonated throughout the discussions.
Participants shared how school became a refuge—a pathway to escape environments where their identities were suppressed. Some faced repression not from their families but from the crowded, limiting conditions of their homes. The freedom to be themselves required space—both physically and emotionally. The hope of moving out for a fresh start was a dream for many, but not one easily realized.
The environmental challenges discussed resonated with participants, as they described common hardships in affordable housing situations. For many, affordable housing options are in remote areas with limited access to basic utilities like water and electricity, while others explained living experiences in dangerous neighborhoods. As the constant fear continues to grow, neighborhoods where crime, violence, and drug activity create a tense atmosphere.
In Fresno, there is a 1 in 144 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. With Fresno being already a white heteronormative society, one can only imagine how the LGBTQ+ community feels. Such circumstances make it difficult for individuals and families to live sustainably, as landlords often refuse to address basic needs. With this in mind, families constantly move from house to house in hopes of proper conditions.
Economically, the lack of funding and support exacerbates these challenges. Accessibility to safe, affordable housing in Fresno is limited, with many attendees describing their situation as being determined by luck. The same applied to renting. Every year, rentees feel that the owner is constantly upping the price with each opportunity they get. As a result, living conditions become scarce and unpredictable.
Renters across the state were advocating for Prop 33, which intended to allow local governments to tailor rent control policies. The proposition would allow for inclusive observation of the living situations and more freedom in negotiating better living expenses. Unfortunately, California voted against Prop 33.
The increasing homelessness crisis has hit the LGBTQ+ community particularly hard. Advocates are calling for urgent action, urging the public to demand Fresno’s officials engage with queer advocates and listen to their experiences. The absence of Fresno leaders at this critical discussion was a glaring oversight, one seen as reflective of a broader disregard for the safety and well-being of queer residents.
Now is the time to take action. Contact your local leaders, and demand they join the mission to support the LGBTQ+ community by understanding their housing struggles and ensuring safer living conditions for all.
In addition to Fresno, Equality California also hosted town halls in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The organization will compile a report based on the feedback collected focusing on critical housing challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals.
