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NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

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Q&A

Farías questions DYCD on LGBTQ youth served and percentages

New York City Council · Jun 24, 2026 · starts 0:38:50 · 1 min 19 sec

Farías asks how many LGBTQ youth are served and what percentage they represent. Ascherl reports 700 LGBTQIA+ youth in residential programs and 564 at drop-in centers, comprising 38% of program enrollees and 42% of drop-in center participants.

Amanda C. Farías

I'm going to move over to DYCD.

Amanda C. Farías

How many LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are currently being served through DYCD-funded programs?

Wanda Ascherl

Thank you for the question.

Wanda Ascherl

Youth currently are not required to disclose gender identity or sexual orientation with their RHI programs.

Wanda Ascherl

But today, as of May 2026, 700 youth who reported as identifying as LGBTQIA plus were entered into our residential programs.

Wanda Ascherl

And then we had 564 young people that reported as identifying LGBTQIA plus started receiving case management and services at the drop-in centers.

Amanda C. Farías

Got it.

Amanda C. Farías

And what percentage of youth in DYCD-funded runaway and homeless youth programs identify as LGBTQ plus?

Wanda Ascherl

Thank you.

Wanda Ascherl

We have 38% of the young people have been entered into our programs and identifying as LGBTQIA.

Wanda Ascherl

And then we have 35% of the young people who entered our residential programs that reported the same.

Wanda Ascherl

And then 42% were in our drop-in centers.

Amanda C. Farías

Okay.