Orange County Trans Organization Releases First-Ever Survey on Housing for Transgender, Gender-Diverse and Intersex (TGI) Population

By ORANGE COUNTY TRANS ORG on June 19, 2024

Findings Suggest Widespread Discrimination, Hardships, and Financial Struggles Exacerbate Living as a TGI Person in Orange County, According to Alianza Translatinx

Despite the fact that California has some of strongest protections for Transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex (TGI) people in the nation, they continue to face challenges, discrimination, and language and financial barriers with finding housing and staying housed in Orange County, according to a first-ever report/survey conducted and released by Alianza Translatinx, a Santa Ana-based advocacy organization that works to improve policies, practices and services in Orange County for the TGI community.

“This study underscores that the needs of TGI people of Orange County are not currently being met, and we must be a more active part of the dialogue when it comes to the housing, homelessness, language, and financial struggles we are facing,” said Khloe Rios-Wyatt, founding member and CEO of Alianza Translatinx.

“Currently, there are no trans-affirming housing resources for TGI community members in Orange County. We hope this survey will help us increase accountability and inclusion to bring about housing justice.

Alianza Translatinx will present the research results alongside officials from CalOptima Health and the Samueli Foundation, which sponsored the survey and supported Alianza Translatinx. The survey was compiled from discussions, focus groups, and online participation with 159 TGI members.

“Housing is health,” said Kelly Bruno-Nelson, Executive Director, Medi-Cal and CalAIM, for CalOptima Health. “That’s why CalOptima Health is bolstering our housing services and commitment to health equity for all. Our members who identify as TGI deserve access to health care, housing, and support without fear of their safety, prejudice, and exclusion.” In 2023, CalOptima Health provided equity grant funding of $221,600 for Alianza Translatinx to increase housing navigation and case management for the TGI community.

The survey reveals a high level of housing instability among TGI members:

28% are “renting with others”
21% are living with family
13% are living with a partner
10% are “staying with friends or family”
9% report being houseless

Further, the survey highlights a lack of resources and other challenges:

40% of survey respondents report not knowing where to find a shelter where they would be respected for who they are
Almost 80% report not knowing their housing rights as a TGI person
68% report being discriminated against as a member of the TGI community

The survey also states that housing challenges are tied to economic factors and employment discrimination.

“These results are a clarion call to our local policymakers to help the TGI community gain access to housing, address systemic violence and prejudices, and provide language-appropriate services,” said Rios-Wyatt. “We envision a country where gender diversity is not a barrier but a celebrated aspect of our shared humanity.”