Thank You!
You continue to make this all possible
It takes thousands of folks like you stepping forward to help make this work possible. Last year, when we saw a continued high number of LGBTQ asylum seekers reaching out for help and even just showing up, and $170,000 in tree damage to one of our buildings — displacing 11 asylum seekers for two months — you did not forget us. You opened your homes, purses, networks, pantries, and hearts every time that there was a need. Thank you!
Housing Requests (2023-2024)
We have seen a steady increase in the number of folks reaching out to us for housing support. This need has outweighed our capacity to provide direct housing. However, we have answered every request and have been able to direct folks to temporary housing options nationwide, while they await a more suitable spot in our housing.
Annual Housing Requests
During the pandemic, we saw a doubling of the number of LGBTQ asylum seekers requesting housing. This has placed a strain on our available resources — housing and financial. To mitigate against these effects, we have been creative in identifying temporary accommodations and making investments toward reducing our monthly expenses in certain key areas. We have also made an effort to increase our visibility and garner more support from folks like you.
Top Countries of Origin (2023)
Self-identification (2023)
Historically, we have received the most requests for housing and connection to resources from LGBTQ asylum seekers from either Jamaica or Uganda. While conditions for LGBTQ people continue to be horrible in approximately 70 countries, there are established networks in both of these countries that list the Task Force as a possible source of assistance through the asylum process.
Monthly Expenses
Congruent with the increase in the number of asylum seekers that we have directly housed is the tripling of our average monthly expenses over the past six years. It currently costs us $50,000 per month to provide housing and other support to LGBTQ asylum seekers. This averages out to $1,500 per person per month. We have been able to reduce our monthly expenses through strategic steps towards greater efficiency and sustainability in all that we do.
Individual Donors
Number of Donations
During the same time that we were experiencing a doubling of LGBTQ asylum seekers contacting us for help, there was a reduction in the total number of individual donors and donations. Despite our strained finances, we were able to connect each asylum seeker to needed resources and maintain our 100% asylum grant, stable housing, and employment rates.
We have strategically increased our outreach efforts, which are starting to bear fruit in the significant increase in the total number of donors and donations we have received. However, much more is needed in order for us to have the capacity to support the continued increase in requests for support. We appreciate any help that you can provide in furtherance of this goal.