Center seeks host homes for LGBT youth

When Birmingham-area LGBT teens and young adults are facing homelessness, they often turn to the Magic City Acceptance Center.

Now, thanks to funding from San Francisco-based group wayOUT, MCAC is creating a new program to make sure LGBT youths in crisis can have a place to call home.

Amanda Keller, director of the Southside-based MCAC, said they are currently seeking short-term host homes as part of the Magic City Acceptance Homes project, launching in late fall. The project is funded for two years due to a $110,000 donation by wayOUT.

The Acceptance Homes project will be open to LGBT youths ages 19-24 who are in need of a place to stay. Rather than placing them in shelters, Keller said the Acceptance Homes program will give them a bedroom of their own and support from the families they stay with.

“We deal with several, several reports of people who are concerned about being kicked out of their homes or are currently experiencing homelessness,” Keller said.

Keller said she wants the program to act as a transitional period, up to about six months, to help the participants take advantage of other MCAC programs to find jobs and an apartment of their own. The Acceptance Homes are meant to be a response to immediate crisis situations rather than long-term solution.

MCAC will provide resources for both the host families and youth participants. This will include a case manager to help with the transition and education workshops to learn about gender and sexuality issues to prepare host families for the task. 

“That’s our hope is just to provide training and support,” Keller said. “So many people are just so concerned about making mistakes that it affects them being able to have a conversation with the person.”

MCAC will also provide a package of supplies, including grocery and gas gift cards, to help cover some of the hosting expenses, and a backpack of personal supplies for the youth participants.

“When you’re in a state of crisis, you don’t want to be running out worrying about toothpaste,” Keller said.

Families, couples, roommates and individuals over the age of 29 are encouraged to apply if they are interested in being a host home. There are some requirements host homes must adhere to, but Keller said the most important is having a private room available for the young adult they host and a bathroom where they can have privacy.

Host homes have to be willing to provide three meals a day, but more importantly they have to be ready to provide support and an environment that feels like home.

“We ask that folks are affirming, well-intended individuals. … We’re just asking for folks with a really good heart,” Keller said. “You’re agreeing to care for this person.”

Keller said she wants to start the program “very slowly, very carefully” to make sure that both hosts and their houseguests get everything they need.

MCAC is located at 2500 Fourth Ave. S. For more information about Magic City Acceptance Homes or about becoming a host home, contact Keller at amanda@mcac-bao.org.