In the heart of Long Island City, Ace’s Place has just opened its doors, the first shelter in the United States designed exclusively to accommodate transgender and non-binary gender people who live in a situation of homelessness. With capacity for 150 residents, the center was born as a direct response to a reality that, for too long, has been made invisible.
An initiative with community roots
The project has been promoted by the LGTBIQ+ organization Destination Tomorrow, in collaboration with New York Social Services. For its executive director, Sean Ebony Coleman, this opening is more than a simple housing resource:
“Ace’s Place is a community response to systematic neglect. We want hundreds of trans and gender non-conforming people to have access to services that allow them to obtain housing and achieve economic independence.”
From the local government, the Commissioner of Social Services, Molly Warsow, highlighted the historical value of the opening:
“This announcement reinforces our commitment to the safety and well-being of trans New Yorkers, especially at a time when their rights are being questioned.”
More than a roof: services for a dignified life
Ace’s Place is not limited to offering temporary accommodation. Its services include:
- Personalized case management and support.
- Individual and group psychological counseling.
- Planning for permanence in stable housing.
- Referral to medical and mental health services.
- Community support groups.
- Career guidance and academic support.
- Workshops on independent living and financial education.
The objective is not only to cover an urgent need, but also to provide users with tools to build a stable future.
A reality that continues to be alarming
The data speaks for itself. According to a study by The Trevor Project (2022), homelessness disproportionately affects this sector of the LGTBIQ+ community: 38% of trans women, 39% of trans men and 35% of non-binary young people have experienced a situation of homelessness or housing instability, compared to 23% of cis people in the group.
And although the shelter is an important advance, many questions remain open. Will it be enough to meet the growing demand? What will happen if state or federal policies become even more restrictive towards the trans population?
In a political context where certain sectors, such as that led by Donald Trump, promote transphobic measures, the opening of Ace’s Place is perceived as an act of resistance and hope. A sign that, even in difficult times, it is possible to build safe spaces for those who need it most.
