Albert Kennedy Trust AKT - Safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people

AKT supports lgbtq+ young people aged 16-25 in the uk who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.

We support young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates lgbtq+ identities.

AKT helps young people: 

• Stay safe in a crisis 
• Find emergency accommodation
• Access specialist support 
• Develop skills, identify and achieve life goals

We do this by providing:

• Access to advice from one of our housing specialists
• Connection to a mentor for one-to-one support 
• Access to our emergency support pack or tenancy starter pack
• Accommodation with a specially trained akt host
• A place to stay in our Purple Door accommodation service 
• A safe place with one of our many housing provider partners 
• Access to life skills training, events and peer support networks 

Why we're needed

Coming out, or being outed as LGBTQ+, can lead to young people being made homeless. 24% of homeless young people identify as LGBTQ+.

Once homeless, LGBTQ+ young people are more likely to face violence and discrimination than young people who aren’t LGBTQ+. They’re also more likely to develop substance misuse issues and experience sexual exploitation. This can all take a huge toll on someone’s physical and mental health.

77% of the LGBTQ+ young people we work with believe coming out at home was the main factor in causing their homelessness and so it's vital that they are supported in an environment that is inclusive and celebrates their identities in order to improve their life outcomes.