Nearly half of LGBTQ people behind on rent fear eviction within next two months

After the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal eviction moratorium, millions of Americans are now facing the threat of losing their homes. But compared to the rest of America, the LGBTQ demographic will be affected much more than others.

According to the Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, nearly half of LGBTQ people behind on their rent say they fear being evicted within the next two months.

The study also found that LGBTQ people of color specifically are more likely to be renters behind on rent payments than other demographics.

Statistics

According the Williams Institute's findings, 41 percent of LGBTQ adults rent their homes. 25 percent of non-LGBTQ adults rent.

47 percent of LGBTQ people of color rent their homes. 19 percent of white LGBTQ people rent.

19 percent of LGBTQ renters report being behind on their rent payments. 14 percent of non-LGBTQ renters report being behind.

30 percent of LGBTQ people of color are behind on their rent. 10 percent of white LGBTQ renters are behind.

47 percent of LGBTQ renters behind on their rent fear eviction is imminent. 46 percent of non-LGBTQ renters fear the same.

51 percent of LGBTQ people opf color fear imminent eviction. 38 percent of white LGBTQ people fear the same.

What it all means

These statistics show an underlying reality that LGBTQ persons have systemic barriers left in place to make them even more susceptible to economic hardship than the rest of Americans.

LGBTQ people, especially LGBTQ people of color, live with unstable housing options, and lack affordability in places where they live. They also have higher rates of poverty than people think.

This reality has always existed but the COVID-19 pandemic economy only made it more visible, according to the Williams Institute.