world homelessness day 2024

akt marked World Homelessness Day 2024 by attending an inspiring event organised by the Manchester Homelessness Partnership.

world homelessness day 2024

On the lead up to World Homelessness Day, the Manchester Homelessness Partnership organised a fantastic event on the 9th October 2024. akt is proud to have attended this event, as we were able to use it as a platform for raising awareness, building relationships around LGBTQ+ needs, and fostering a sense of community in the fight against homelessness.

This event was a meaningful opportunity for akt to connect with other organisations, meet individuals facing housing insecurity, and address the often-overlooked intersectionality that being homelessness and LGBTQ+ brings.

LGBTQ+ homelessness

As the UK’s only homelessness charity specialising in LGBTQ+ youth care, akt is acutely aware of how LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected by housing instability. We used the event to help us foster relationships with other service providers, and amplify the importance of healthcare that is inclusive of the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, homelessness is not just about the lack of housing. LGBTQ+ youth face heightened risks of discrimination and exclusion, which can often lead to barriers in accessing healthcare – especially around mental health services, and gender-affirming care.

akt aims to improve pathways to healthcare for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring they receive the support they deserve. At the event, akt worked to raise awareness around the issues that LGBTQ+ youth face, by engaging with other service providers and discussing how LGBTQ+ youth require access to services that are more tailored to their needs.

reflections and takeaways

World Homelessness Day is not only a day of reflection on the harsh realities faced by homeless individuals, but also a day of hope, collaboration, and progress. Thank you to the Manchester Homelessness Partnership for organising the event, as it helped highlight the power of community in homelessness and housing care, and akt’s presence reinforced the importance of including LGBTQ+ voices in conversations about homelessness.

As akt continues its mission to prevent homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community, attending events these help us strengthen bonds between care providers, create new opportunities for support, and foster long-term and inclusive support for homeless individuals.