Getting your first apartment should be a fun experience. Of course, it can be a little nerve-wracking, and in today’s competitive market, you’ll definitely have to see a few places before picking the right one. However, in the end you will eventually move away from the parental home and have their own space.
Unfortunately, this is not every experience. For those who live in marginalized communities that often face discrimination, finding comfortable housing can be a huge hurdle. The LGBTQ+ community is among those who often experience housing insecurity.
Tips for Finding LGBTQ+ Friendly Rental Options
Finding equal housing options for a member of the LGBTQ+ community shouldn’t be difficult, but it can be. To ease this burden, here are a few steps to help weed out hostile housing options.
Know your rights
While cases of discrimination may end differently depending on the state you live in, there are several protections that can help LGBTQ+ tenants. Knowing these rights in advance may not help you get an apartment faster, but it can help you get the justice you deserve.
One example of such protection is the Fair Housing Act. This law is designed to protect people from discrimination when renting a home, buying a home, or seeking housing assistance. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, or disability. On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that gender discrimination includes both sexual orientation and gender identity.
A total of 22 states and the District of Columbia explicitly prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Nine other states interpret their laws to include protection against this discrimination, but do not explicitly protect it.
Read more: Can my landlord REALLY do this? Tenant Rights Guide
Keep your safety front and center
Per anyone apartment seekers, but especially LGBTQ+ people, need to be aware of their safety. Step no. 1: Avoid Craigslist if possible. For every legal ad, there are a dozen illegal ones.
When you set up views, take your partner or friend with you so that someone knows your whereabouts. And if at some point it seems to some of you that the situation you are in is doubtful, do not waste time, just leave.
Finally, do not disclose any personal information until you are sure of the landlord and know that it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, this may also include your gender identity or sexuality. Landlords are not allowed to ask for this information, and until you get a feel for how safe the rental situation is, tread carefully.
Search for accommodations in LGBTQ+ listings and using terms like “Queer-Friendly”
There are a number of different platforms that allow you to search for housing depending on how queer-friendly the area or the landlord is. For example, there are many, often closed, groups on Facebook where people can advertise housing for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Queer Exchange Maine Facebook group is my local group that I have used in the past. Most if not all states probably have one of these groups.
Also, many rental sites have space to add a keyword or search term. When you search for terms like “queer friendly housing” and “LGBTQ+ friendly” you may find several results, especially if you’re in a major city.
Be honest with potential roommates
No, you don’t have to tell every potential roommate you meet about yourself. However, when meeting people with whom you could live in the same house, it is important to make sure that you are on the same wavelength. After all, this will be your home, so everyone who lives there should be comfortable with who you are, and vice versa.
If you’re not sure if your potential roommate is ready to have gay roommates, try asking questions such as “Is this apartment LGBT friendly?” Also, don’t forget to ask how they feel about having guests overnight.
Read more: Roommates: How to Find and Verify Someone to Share Your Home
Get renters insurance
No, renter’s insurance will not cover you if you experience discrimination from your landlord. But since LGBTQ+ renters have many other financial issues, renter insurance provides some peace of mind.
Renters insurance can protect you financially in the event that your property or apartment is maliciously damaged because of your identity. You will also be covered for more common reasons, such as if you need to find temporary accommodation in case your apartment becomes uninhabitable.
Read more: Top tenant insurance companies
Why LGBTQ+ people struggle to find fair housing
Many LGBTQ+ people are already understanding why renting can be tricky as they are facing housing insecurity at an alarmingly high rate. There are a number of reasons why the LGBTQ+ community cannot get the housing they so desperately need, including:
Higher rate of homelessness
It’s not just LGBTQ+ adults trying to find rental housing. Unfortunately, homeless youth are often part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Research shows that between 20% and 45% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. This housing insecurity typically stems from a lack of family and parental support, so LGBTQ+ young people are either kicked out or leave feeling they cannot find the recognition they need at home.
Discrimination
Unfortunately, the LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to discrimination. Research has shown that landlords tend to be less likely to respond to rent requests from same-sex couples. In some cases, LGBTQ+ couples are also charged higher rents than lesser couples.
Older LGBTQ+ people are also at higher risk of being denied rent or higher fees for assistance with housing care.
Housing is expensive
Housing is at an all-time high. Whether you are buying or renting, you will likely have to deal with inflated rental prices. Combined with this rising cost of housing, the LGBTQ+ community is also facing a wage gap, exacerbating their difficulty in securing housing.
Overall, the LGBTQ+ community earns $0.90 for every dollar the “average” worker earns. However, this gap grows depending on your exact personality. Black LGBTQ+ workers earn just $0.80 for every dollar the average worker earns, while Native Americans who self-identify as LGBTQ+ earn just $0.70 for every dollar. Tackling this pay gap can make finding safe housing difficult.
Read more: 7 Financial Problems the LGBTQ+ Community Faces
Federal and state laws
Of the 50 states, only 22 have strong laws against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Protection is limited in the more conservative parts of the country, partly exacerbating the problem of homelessness faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
How landlords can help LGBTQ+ people find housing
Every landowner must be an ally all communities. To ensure a safe space for LGBTQ+ tenants, landlords should:
- Clearly state that the apartment or house you are renting out is LGBTQ+ friendly. This can help potential tenants feel more at ease when they contact you about your lease.
- Be a respectful host. As an open and accepting landlord, you will be able to maintain a good relationship with all your tenants, including any LGBTQ+ residents. Take action to be supportive. For example, designate a place in your application where tenants can write their pronouns, and then use those pronouns.
- Call for housing discrimination whenever possible. Landlords, especially in large cities, can influence the entire city when they speak out against unfair housing. If you know of other landlords who discriminate against LGBTQ+ tenants, please report them.
Read more: Is it worth it (financially) to be a landlord?
What to do if you are discriminated against
If you experience discrimination when renting because you are LGBTQ+, there are several steps you can take to ensure your landlord or property manager does not discriminate against others.
- If you feel safe, talk to your landlord or property manager.. If you can contact someone you know will be receptive, let them know about the incident of discrimination. Some landlords do not know the full opinion of their property managers and would not be very happy to know that they are actively discriminating against LGBTQ+ tenants.
- Contact your local housing authority. If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can also contact your local housing authority. Not sure where your local office is? Find it here.
- Talk to a lawyer. Even after you have filed a formal complaint, consider consulting with an attorney who can help you figure out what your next steps are. Working with a professional lawyer can be financially impossible for everyone, but some states have law firms that specialize in helping low-income people. You can find potential resources on the American Bar Association website.
Summary
The LGBTQ+ community is one of many marginalized communities that are experiencing housing shortages. So, before you start looking for accommodation, make sure you understand your rights, keep safety in mind, search specifically for queer-friendly landlords, and be upfront with potential roommates. Unfortunately, you may still face discrimination, but you have options to take action, whether that’s talking to a property manager, filing a complaint with HUD, or even talking to an attorney.
Featured image: Pixel-shot/Shutterstock.com
