Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (2SLGBTQ+) youth disproportionately experience homelessness compared to cisgender and heterosexual youth; however, there is a distinct lack of population-based housing programs designed to meet their specific needs, particularly in suburban contexts. This study applies the socio-ecological model to examine the multi-level factors shaping the experiences, needs, and housing trajectories of 2SLGBTQ+ youth residing at the Blue Door INNclusion program—one of the first population-based housing programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in a suburban region of Ontario, Canada. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and survey data with residents of the Blue Door INNclusion program, we explore youths’ pathways into homelessness, their experiences during program participation, and their transitions toward independent living. Analysis focuses on how intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and structural factors shape youths’ experiences of safety, belonging, and access to supports, as well as changes in mental health, social connections, employment, and education over time. Findings indicate that pre-entry experiences, including family rejection and housing instability, shaped youths’ needs and engagement within the program. Across socio-ecological levels, affirming relationships, inclusive organizational practices, and access to tailored supports were central to fostering safety and belonging. Over time, youth described improvements in mental health and social connectedness, alongside increased engagement in education and employment, while structural challenges such as financial precarity continued to influence their transitions toward independence. By situating youths’ experiences within a socio-ecological framework, this study offers theoretically grounded insights into the multi-level conditions that support housing stability and well-being among 2SLGBTQ+ youth in suburban transitional housing contests.
Abramovich et al. (Tue,) studied this question.