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Chelsey Nez
Jonathan Stowers
ENGL 2850-002
18 November 2014
Chelseys Transitional Housing of Utah
Currently there are no housing, safe homes, or homeless shelters in Utah for youth who
are GLBT. This means there are thousands of homeless youth that have no place to sleep, feel
safe, and keep warm or cool. The National Alliance to End Homelessness states that 40 percent
of homeless populations are LGBT youth. On their website they state that youth have higher
rates of physical and sexual assault and higher incidences of mental health problems and unsafe
sexual behaviors. This is a serious problem for many GLBT youth who are forced out of their
homes!
Chelseys Transitional Housing of Utah is dedicated to creating a safe house for homeless
youth who have been evicted due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We
have a commitment to treat all youth residents with dignity and respect and provide inclusive
housing that is free from discrimination. Our organization wants to create a safe living
environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth while they transition to a home,
whether through adoption or independence.
Our organization works with OUTreach Resource Centers that has the Safe and Sound
program and provide assistance to reunify the youth with their family. If this is not an option we
hold rooms for individuals whom cannot find a place to stay, and we assist by teaching the youth
primary skills they need in order to live independently and make the transition as an adult.
Additionally, we provide relevant quantitative data to public officials and other nonprofit

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organizations. Data is provided about our homeless GLBT youth to help fund, create laws, and
understand what needs to change so that we can provide equality in the homeless shelters for
GLBT youth, and how we can determine a better transition for the youth.
The Law
Its important to note current existing housing laws. The United States Fair Housing Act
of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other
housing related transactions, based on, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or
handicap.
The Utah Fair Housing Act, Utah Code Section, 57-21-1 et seq., addresses housing
related discrimination based on race; religion; sex; national origin; familial status; source of
income; and disability, but does not address discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender
identity.
A favorable law created in 2009 is in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City
Nondiscrimination Ordinance Chapter 10.05 passed legislation prohibiting discrimination based
on sexual orientation or gender identity. Furthermore, it is unlawful for any person to
discriminate against, harass, threaten, harm, damage, or otherwise penalize another person, for
filing a complaint, or for testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner in an investigation,
proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.
Policy
Chelseys Transitional Housing of Utah is committed to fostering and cultivating a safe
environment that is diverse and inclusive. We recognize that every individual is worthy of
human dignity. Everyone has a fundamental right to a home that is safe, secure and comfortable
with freedom from forced eviction.

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We embrace and encourage our employees and residents differences in sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression, age, race, pregnancy, national origin, ethnicity and
religion.
Furthermore, Chelseys Transitional Housing of Utah diversity initiatives are applicable, but
not limited, to our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and
benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; social and recreational
programs; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on
the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:

Promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity

Respectful communication

Teamwork permitting all groups and perspectives

In summary, the right to housing is a vital element of any society. Utah law does not
accommodate basic human rights of all individuals deserving of shelter. Existing state law
does not protect GLBT youth and there is no housing available for those who face forced
eviction. Salt Lake City ordinance is the exception. Chelseys Transitional Housing of Utah
policies reinforce great promise for homeless youth. Its commitment to facilitate progress
will bring equality and hope for GLBT youth.

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Work Cited
"National Coalition for the Homeless." National Coalition for the Homeless. National Coalition
for the Homeless, 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/lgbtq.html>.
"Safe and Sound." OUTreach Resource Centers. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.outreachresourcecenters.org/safe_and_sound>.
Parker, Ray. "Groups Team up to Reach out to Homeless LGBT Mormon Youths." 25 Jan. 2013.
The Salt Lake Tribune. Web. <http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55659498-78/youthhomeless-lgbt-utah.html.csp>.
"Fair Housing -- It's Your Right - HUD." Fair Housing -- It's Your Right - HUD. Web. 20 Nov.
2014.
<http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FH
Laws/yourrights>.
"Sterling Codifiers, Inc." Sterling Codifiers, Inc. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=672>.