In Massachusetts, a group called the Transgender Emergency Fund (TEF) is doing incredible work to help transgender individuals who are homeless. They provide temporary housing, safe spaces, and support to help people rebuild their lives. This initiative has made a huge difference for many, including Stephie Moul, a transgender woman who was once homeless and struggling to find a place to stay after being released from prison.
The Struggles of Homelessness for Transgender People
Stephie Moul’s life wasn’t easy. After being in prison for over four years, she had nothing left. No money, no belongings, and nowhere to stay. Growing up on the streets of Providence, Rhode Island, Moul was familiar with the harsh realities of homelessness. When she got out of prison in May, she had nowhere to turn.
“I didn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of,” said Moul, describing how she felt at the time.
She found herself sleeping in a hospital lobby in Boston for three days before she searched for help online. When she searched for “transgender shelters,” the Transgender Emergency Fund (TEF) appeared. It was close to midnight, but Moul emailed the housing director, and by the next day, she got a call back. She quickly moved into TEF’s transitional housing program, where she found comfort and hope.
What the Transgender Emergency Fund Offers
TEF provides a safe space for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people in a quiet neighborhood in Greater Boston. The home has eight rooms, and each one is available for people to live rent-free for up to a year. It’s more than just a place to sleep; it’s a place where residents can get back on their feet. The house includes essentials like food, Wi-Fi, heat, laundry, and even free clothes. It’s a welcoming place where transgender people don’t have to worry about discrimination, which is common in many other shelters.
The goal of the program is not only to provide shelter but also to help people find stable work and save money for their future. The program supports residents as they work on finding permanent housing and employment.
A Growing Problem: Transgender People and Homelessness
The issue of homelessness in Massachusetts is growing. According to recent reports, over 29,000 people in the state experienced homelessness in 2024, and this number has been rising. The situation is even more challenging for transgender people. Many face rejection from families and, when they seek shelter, they often experience discrimination and violence.
According to experts, transgender people are at a higher risk of homelessness compared to others. In fact, a survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality showed that nearly one-third of transgender people have faced homelessness at some point. Unfortunately, when they do try to stay in shelters, they often face verbal abuse, physical assault, or even sexual harassment.
Pam Klein, who works with the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, explains that transgender individuals face heightened risk when they’re outside on the streets, especially in places where there is hostility toward them.
Even though Massachusetts is considered a safer place for transgender people, they are still targeted, and violence is a real threat.
The Need for More Resources
Dion Weston, the housing director for TEF, gets calls every day from transgender individuals desperately needing a place to stay. Sadly, many have to be turned away because there simply aren’t enough rooms in the shelter. This is a huge problem, especially when TEF’s resources can literally mean the difference between life and death for someone struggling to survive on the streets.
Weston has worked hard to make the shelter feel like a home. She meets with each resident regularly to help them with job applications, getting new identification, accessing medical care, and finding long-term housing. Half of the people currently staying at TEF have jobs, and others are actively looking for work.
Turning Things Around
For Moul, living at TEF was the turning point she needed to rebuild her life. She had faced many challenges, from being homeless as a child to struggling with her gender identity. After transitioning in 2017, Moul felt ashamed and struggled with her gender identity for years. However, she now wants to make things right.
Moul’s first challenge after leaving prison was getting identification. After some initial setbacks, she was able to obtain a birth certificate, Social Security card, and ID. She then started working part-time at a local store, Five Below, and is now on her way to achieving her goal of full-time employment.
She knows that the road ahead won’t be easy, especially with Boston’s high cost of living, but Moul is determined to find permanent housing and continue her journey toward a stable future.
“I feel like a normal citizen,” Moul said. “After everything I’ve been through in life, I got a job, I got a place to live. I got normal people things.”
The Bigger Picture
Programs like the Transgender Emergency Fund are essential in the fight against transgender homelessness. While eight rooms might seem like a small number, they are a lifeline for those who have nowhere else to turn. TEF’s impact is undeniable, but it’s clear that more resources and support are needed to help the growing number of transgender individuals who face homelessness.
(Source : prismreports.org)
