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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This survey was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), and adds to their evidence base on the changing characteristics of homelessness in Northern Ireland. The Rainbow Project and Council for the Homeless NI (CHNI), who were awarded the tender for the research, would like to express their gratitude to all those involved in study and in particular to the following: to all the research participants who took time out to time to participate in the survey, interviews and focus groups. to the Research Steering Group, headed by Joe Frey (Head of Research, NIHE), who facilitated the research and provided invaluable advice, guidance and support; and those staff at both The Rainbow Project and Council for the Homeless NI who helped ensure every phase of the project ran smoothly. John O’Doherty, The Rainbow Project Ricky Rowledge, CHNI 2 CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4 Aims and Objectives ................................................................................................................ 4 Summary Method ................................................................................................................... 5 Summary of Findings ............................................................................................................. 10 Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 14 Evidence Review ................................................................................................................... 17 Rationale ............................................................................................................................... 17 Methodological challenges ................................................................................................... 18 Prevalence: how many people are LGB&T? .......................................................................... 20 Housing and homelessness ................................................................................................... 26 Mental health ........................................................................................................................ 32 Substance use & risk behaviours .......................................................................................... 41 Domestic abuse ..................................................................................................................... 49 Community safety and criminal justice issues ...................................................................... 54 Critiquing the minority stress approach ............................................................................... 65 Data ....................................................................................................................................... 72 Focus Group Data .................................................................................................................. 73 Summary of Service User of Questionnaire Data ................................................................. 99 Service Provider Data .......................................................................................................... 102 Mapping of LGB&T Services ................................................................................................ 132 Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 140 Appendix One: Suggested Further Reading ........................................................................ 141 Appendix Two: Selected Focus Group Narratives ............................................................... 157 3 Introduction The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) commissioned this study into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB&T) homelessness in Northern Ireland. The broad aim of the research was to add to the NIHE’s evidence base on the changing characteristics of homelessness in Northern Ireland, specifically with regards to Northern Ireland’s LG&T communities/ This research project was undertaken by The Rainbow Project (TRP), in partnership with Council for the Homeless Northern Ireland (CHNI). Aims and Objectives The specific aims of this study were to explore the reasons for homelessness amongst LGB&T communities, and to understand the relationship between sexual orientation / gender identity, and subsequent experiences of homelessness or housing crisis. Additionally, the study explores the experiences of people from LGB&T communities of local housing and homelessness provision, as well as service provider experiences of delivering services. Specifically, this report contains: A comprehensive evidence review. This review draws on local, UK and international research to describe what is known about the LGB&T people’s experiences of homelessness, and about the factors known to be associated with housing difficulties and homelessness. A map of local service provision, detailing LGB&T service provision, available across Northern Ireland, at the time of data collection. Data collected from LGB&T people, by means of interview, focus groups, and online questionnaire. Data collected from Service Providers, by means of questionnaire. 4 Summary Method The study consisted of three key elements. The first was an extensive evidence review including an available service mapping exercise. The second strand used a service provider survey employing questionnaire administration with staff, selected non- randomly. The third involved data collection via online questionnaire and focus groups with participants who identified as LGB&T. All aspects of data collection were managed by TRP. Data analyses and report writing were conducted by Quinn Research Services, on behalf of CHNI. SAMPLING Non-random sampling techniques were employed in the recruitment of all participants. These techniques were deemed to be the best available given the absence of an established sampling frame, and the exploratory nature of the study. Snowball sampling techniques were employed to access participants from LGB&T communities. The technique used established social and professional networks to build this sample. In the current study, these networks connected LGB&T specific service providers and their service users in the first instance, and LGB&T people and service providers. An achieved sample of 100 participants was considered sufficient for the current study. Judgement sampling techniques were employed to access service provider staff. In order to conduct a series of interviews with key service provider staff (from temporary accommodation providers and advice / support agencies, both generic and LGB&T specific), judgement sampling strategies were adopted. Targeted LGB&T service providers were identified by TRP, and targeted temporary accommodation providers were identified by HNI/ This was considered permissible given both organisations’ roles within LGB&T and homelessness sectors. Given the exploratory nature of this study, and the combination of data collection methods, 15 to 35 key informants were considered sufficient. Once service provider organisations were identified, service provider staff were recruited via snowball techniques. 5 PARTICIPANTS Two groups of participants were identified: (a) LGB&T participants (who shall be referred to as ‘respondents’ in this report); and (b) Service Provider respondents (who shall be referred to as ‘providers’)/ Primary data collection from service providers was via questionnaire, whereas primary data collection methods from LGB&T respondents were online questionnaire, and post-questionnaire focus groups and interviews. A series of face to face, semi-structured focus groups and interviews were also conducted with people who identified as LGB&T. These participants typically completed the online questionnaire, and indicated their willingness / interest in participating in focus groups and interviews. In total, 100 people from LGB&T communities provided a response to the online questionnaire. Of these 54 provided sufficient data to be included in analyses. Seventeen people from LGB&T communities also participated in three focus groups, and nine people participated in interviews. Focus group participants included five who identified as trans females, eight gay males, three lesbian females, and one bisexual female. Seven participants identified as currently or previously homeless. In terms of interviews, interviewees consisted of five people who identified as gay males, two trans females, one trans male, and one lesbian female. Seven of the nine were currently or previosuly homeless, and an additional one respodnent, whilst not homeless, described experiences of insecure housing and housing difficulties. In total, 39 service providers particiapted in the study: thirty eight responses were deemed useable in analyses. Of the final data set, 35 (92%) were temporary accommodation providers, and the remainder advice agencies. (Further details in the Service Provider results section). DATA COLLECTION Data collection took place over a five month period between July and November 2013. The initial data collection phase was intended to be twelve weeks, but data collection 6 was extended to maximize data capture. Data collection protocols were derived from 1 2 3 4 5 best practice in survey work, and interviewing

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