Case study
Nov 29, 2022

Many older LGBTQ+/SGL people who pioneered coming out of the closet are now forced to go back
in. As their housing needs and preferences change with age, prejudice is still rampant. And under the
U.S. Fair Housing Act, gender identity and sexual orientation are not explicitly protected classes where
housing is concerned. Creating appropriate housing for LGBTQ+/SGL seniors must be informed by the
life experiences of older people in this community, which often include family rejection, mistreatment,
and even violence. This means increasing our cultural competence—from the terminology used, to the
design and management of housing developments that consider past traumas. This case study presents
innovative housing projects as well as guidance for developers on how to meet some of the unique
needs of this particular population.