The Housing Needs of Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults: Implications for Policy and Practice

ABSTRACT

This study identifies the interconnected needs and concerns of sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults, with a particular focus on housing, healthcare, transportation, and social support. Data were gathered through seven groups with a sample of SGM-identified adults age 55 and over (N = 50) and analyzed using thematic analysis. The participants seek affordable and inclusive housing options. They identified that access to transportation is paramount in maintaining social support and accessing healthcare. Findings underscore the need for strategies to serve the housing needs of low-income SGM-identified older adults in a nondiscriminatory way, train housing providers in culturally responsive care, meet transportation needs, and provide SGM-inclusive community-based services that reduce isolation.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBT
• housing
• transportation
• social support
• isolation
• healthcare

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Simmons University President’s Fund for Faculty Excellence (grant number 230059).