akt Launches Five-Year Plan to Help LGBTQ+ Young People Find Safe Homes

UK charity akt has launched a five-year strategy to help more LGBTQ+ young people move away from homelessness and housing insecurity and towards safe, stable homes.

Announced on 11 October 2026, to coincide with National Coming Out Day and the weekend of World Homeless Day, Home + Hope sets out the organisation’s priorities for 2026–2031. It focuses on LGBTQ+ people aged 16–25 who are experiencing homelessness, facing a housing crisis or living in a hostile environment.

The charity says LGBTQ+ young people are twice as likely as their peers to experience hidden homelessness. This can include staying temporarily with friends, moving between households or living somewhere they do not feel safe, without necessarily appearing in official homelessness figures.

For some young people, family conflict, rejection or threats of abuse linked to their identity can contribute to housing insecurity. akt aims to provide specialist, person-first support while helping young people access secure accommodation and develop the resources needed to live independently.

The strategy has five priorities: supporting young people into safe homes, preventing homelessness and helping them thrive, listening to their experiences, building effective partnerships and strengthening the organisation so it can continue its work.

It also identifies five areas for further development, including digital services, stronger legal advice, wider advocacy, volunteering and storytelling. These are not all established new services. akt says it will scope the projects carefully, with pilots during the first two years where funding is secured.

Digital support could help the charity reach young people who find in-person services difficult to access, while increased legal advice could help those dealing with complicated housing problems understand their options. The strategy also promises a stronger role for young people’s voices in shaping services and future decisions.

The plan was developed in consultation with young people, colleagues, supporters and partner organisations. akt says it intends to track progress through impact reporting and use evidence from new projects to refine its approach.

The charity’s ambition is not simply to help young people survive a housing crisis, but to give them the security and opportunities to build fulfilling lives. Its strategy recognises that this will require sustained work, funding and collaboration.

akt is inviting funders, businesses, charities and specialist advisers to contribute resources, expertise and partnership opportunities as it works towards its 2031 goals.