How LGBTQ+ Homebuyers Can Find a Safe and Welcoming Community

The homebuying process can often be an emotionally draining experience. For those who identify as LGBTQ+, this emotional tension can be heightened even more so, often due to housing discrimination that makes it challenging to find safe and welcoming neighborhoods.

According to a 2021 survey conducted by Realtor.com and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, 17% of LGBTQ+ respondents said they had been discriminated against. Of those who identify as transgender, 44% of people looking for a place to live said they have experienced discrimination.

The homeownership rate for those who identify as LGBTQ+ is 49% compared to the national average of 65%, according to data from Freddie Mac and the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition to considering affordability when searching for a home, prospective homebuyers within the LGBTQ+ community need to be aware of potential discrimination, safety, and access concerns.

“It’s a shame because homeownership is one of the greatest forms of wealth building, and discrimination prevents the community from having it,” Anita Blue, realtor, credit strategist, and vice president of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, said.

With the right team in place, knowledge of current laws that offer protection, and an understanding of your personal definition of what it means to be safe, it is possible to find a welcoming place to call home.

Discrimination Faced by LGBTQ+ Homebuyers

Homophobic neighbors weren’t as much a statistic, but a reality for Kenny Screven, a social media beauty influencer and LGBTQ+ advocate, who rented a house for two years with his boyfriend in Pennsylvania.

“Most of the town had very conservative stances when it came to homosexuality,” Screven said. “Townees would frequently force their agendas onto us by putting signs in our yard with a blood-like substance on it.” This made it clear to him that interracial gay couples were not welcome.

So when it was time to begin the homebuying process in March 2021, the fear of discrimination and hate crimes intensified for Screven and his partner. As a result, they avoided townhouses so as to not risk living too close to anyone who would jeopardize their safety, and were cautious of surrounding areas while on home tours.

“I wear makeup sometimes, and I never want to feel uncomfortable leaving my house,” Screven said. “Your home is supposed to be your safe space.” The competitive market coupled with an emotionally draining process nudged them to take a break from the search before resuming in February 2022, and finally finding a welcoming home in May 2022.

LGBTQ+ homebuyers often experience discrimination long before they first turn the key, starting with getting approved for a mortgage. Research from an Iowa State study found that same-sex couples were 73% more likely to be denied a home loan compared to heterosexual couples. And if they were approved, they were more likely to pay higher interest.

How the Fair Housing Act Protects You

On a national level, there are laws in place that protect LGBTQ+ homebuyers from discrimination, such as the Fair Housing Act. While the Fair Housing Act did not originally include protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, an executive order issued by President Joe Biden in 2021 extended protections to the LGBTQ+ community.

On a state level, though, protections that bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as recourse for those who experience discrimination, can vary. Many states have added protected classes to their housing discrimination laws, and 22 states plus Washington, D.C., have laws explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on your gender identity, consider filing a complaint under the Fair Housing Act. When doing so, be as detailed and specific about the situation as possible, and be mindful of the amount of time that has gone by since the incident occurred. You must file a complaint within one year of the last date of the alleged discrimination, according to the Fair Housing Act.

Acts of discrimination are not always clear. Some acts of discrimination to look out for, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) include:

• A real estate agent refuses to show you a home based on your gender identity.
• A real estate agent, when working with a same-sex couple, only shows property that is part of the city known for having many LGBTQ+ residents.
• Terms of the sale are exaggerated to “price out” potential buyers.

How to Find an LGBTQ+ Real Estate Agent or Ally

Fear of discrimination and not finding the right neighborhood were listed among the top barriers for LGBTQ+ homeownership, according to a 2022 survey by the LBGTQ+ Real Estate Alliance and Freddie Mac. When looking for housing, surrounding yourself with a team who has your best interests in mind and with whom you can feel comfortable—such as finding a real estate agent who identifies as LGBTQ+ or is an ally—can be essential for a safe homebuying process.

There are several organizations and groups in the U.S. that can connect you with an LGBTQ+-friendly real estate agent. The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, for example, educates those in the real estate industry on inclusive best practices, such as using the correct language and pronouns, and also connects real estate agents with prospective homebuyers through its directory.

According to Octavious Smiley-Humphries, vice president of the Greater Triangle chapter of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals, and owner of The Smiley Group, many prospective homebuyers within the community feel at ease working with an agent who is LGBTQ+. This way, according to Smiley-Humphries, homebuyers feel the chances of harassment or discrimination during the house-hunting process are reduced.

When vetting professionals, you can take it a step further and check out the social media pages of the realtors and agencies, suggested Blue. “Good or bad, you can find out a lot of information about someone and their values just by doing a simple Google search or pulling up their Facebook,” Blue said.

“Put the same effort and research into finding a realtor that fits your need as you would finding a doctor, because how many houses they’ve sold [doesn’t] tell you about who they are as a realtor,” said Smiley-Humphries. “You’re essentially entrusting a realtor with your life because it really does affect your livelihood.”

Safety vs. Welcoming Culture

According to the 2021 Realtor.com and LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance survey, living in a neighborhood that is “LGTBQ+ friendly” ranked as one of the most important elements when looking for a new place to live. Having neighbors who seem friendly, open, and accepting of new LGBTQ+ neighbors was ranked as the most important element.

However, LGBTQ+-friendly and LGBTQ+-safe are not always the same, according to Smiley-Humphries.

Even states with large LGBTQ+ populations experience hate crimes and discrimination, and they may even be more prone to it, according to data from security company SafeHome. The data found that states with higher populations of LGBTQ+ residents also had higher than average rates of hate crimes against the community.

Based on their laws and efforts to protect the community, California, Vermont, and Maryland have been ranked among the safest states for LGBTQ+ homebuyers, according to SafeHome’s 2021 LGBTQ+ State Safety Rankings. Meanwhile, Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota had the poorest rankings for safety.

It’s important to note that even in states with few laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, you may still be able to find welcoming and safe communities to call home. According to Smiley-Humphries, it can take time for the hearts and minds of people to catch up with the law.

Finding a Neighborhood

In addition to researching the affordability and safety of various states in the U.S., understanding neighborhood culture is imperative to the LGBTQ+ homebuying process.

Social media can be a useful tool in helping you get a better idea of how safe and welcoming a neighborhood is. Blue suggested checking the prospective town’s Facebook group. Paying attention to the hot-button topics, how the neighbors address one another, and the concerns within the community can tell you a lot about the overall feel and culture of the neighborhood, according to Blue.

Making a post on the town's Facebook page and simply asking how welcoming the community is toward LGBTQ+ families is helpful, too. “Aside from comments, even paying attention to the amount of likes, hearts, and laugh replies can be telling,” Smiley-Humphries said.

For those who have children, the safety of the school is equally important. If a school has an alliance or safe place for LGBTQ+ students, it’s a good sign that children of LGBTQ+ parents are less likely to be stigmatized, according to Smiley-Humphries.

Finally, experts note that inquiring about the neighborhood Homeowner Association (HOA) is recommended in any homebuying situation. Some questions to ask the HOA include:

• What are the policies on community respect and treatment of residents?
• What kind of home-based businesses are allowed?
• What kind (if any) of community events are held?
• How do you handle HOA rule violations?
• Can I read the minutes of the last meeting?
• How do you vote?

More Resources for LGBTQ+ Homebuyers

As you go on your homebuying journey, there are many resources that may be useful to you. Below are additional resources to help you find a neighborhood that is safe and welcoming toward the LGBTQ+ community.

• The Movement Advancement Project: This organization tracks LGBTQ+-related laws and policies for each state in the U.S, then gives each state a score based on how those laws shape LGBTQ individuals’ lives, experiences, and equality.
• Lambda Legal: This nonprofit works to achieve recognition for LGBTQ+ civil rights, and offers free legal representation and advocacy for members of the community.
• RealPride Network's directory: RealPride Network is an organization that helps connect those who identify as LGBTQ+ to trusted real estate professionals, making it easy to locate an agent who works with you based on your wants and needs.
• PFLAG: This organization helps support, educate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. It has chapters in communities in all 50 states that offer confidential peer support, education, and advocacy.
• CenterLink: Through its directory of LGBTQ+ community centers in the U.S. (and several other countries), this organization makes it easy to find local support. Simply type in your location and the site will help you find the five nearest LGBTQ+ community centers.