Prince George's County work group advances recommendations for LGBTQ+ youth services

Prince George's County Councilwoman Crystal Reza, co-chair of the county’s LGBTQIA Work Group, led a Feb. 4 meeting that reviewed a set of recommendations aimed at expanding services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, including emergency shelter options, mobile health clinics, peer-support groups, legal aid, job training, housing vouchers and community centers.

The work group’s stated goal is to develop recommendations for the County Council and the county executive on policy, procedure and resource changes to address high-priority needs in the LGBTQ+ community. Members discussed short- and long-term options and asked staff to research feasibility and partners for several proposals.

Work group members prioritized emergency shelter and short-term housing models, noting a gap in county-specific programs. Reza described one model seen in Washington, D.C., and a “host home” approach used for young adults who have aged out of foster care. "The shelters will provide safe, affirming spaces where individuals can stay for up to 6 months," Reza said, describing the time-limited shelter concept. Participants discussed costs tied to facility set-up, staffing, utilities or hotel/lease arrangements and asked staff to identify local…