NEST: Collaborative to Prevent LGBTQ Youth Homelessness

NEST is a city-wide effort to prevent and end homelessness among adolescents and young adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ). In this region, NEST could change the futures of as many as 5,000 youth who run away or are kicked out of their home.
This collaboration—coordinated by the Montrose Center/Hatch Youth, led by Coalition for the Homeless Houston/Harris County and guided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—represents more than 60 Houston/Harris County youth agencies and service providers. The NEST Steering Committee has finalized its Strategic Plan, and is beginning the implementation phase and execution of activities, which will continue from the present until December 31, 2016. To view the full plan, click the link below. 
View the NEST Strategic Plan 
View the NEST Collaboration & Quality Improvement Plan 

Objectives

NEST has five overarching objectives. These include:

1. Facilitate better local collaboration between stakeholders working with youth to develop and implement a comprehensive community strategy to prevent homelessness among LGBTQ youth
2. Improve identification of LGBTQ youth at‐risk of or experiencing episodic homelessness through outreach, screening and assessment
3. Identify, coordinate and improve policies & interventions to prevent LGBTQ youth homelessness across shelter and housing systems (e.g., primary and behavioral health care, child welfare, education, employment, juvenile justice, law enforcement)
4. Reduce homelessness among LGBTQ youth and improve their outcomes in the areas of permanent connections, stable housing, education/employment, and well‐being
5. Inform national strategies for preventing & ending homelessness among LGBTQ youth

NEST receives funding from The Frees Foundation. National initiative partners include U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Participating Agencies