NYC opens city-funded shelter ONLY for trans, gender non-conforming ‘individuals experiencing homelessness’

Named “Ace’s Place,” the facility is operated by the Bronx-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit Destination Tomorrow and is located in Queens. The shelter is the first of its kind in the country to receive full city funding specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals.

It is expected to cost the city $65 million to operate through 2030, according to a report by The Gothamist. The project is part of a 2021 settlement with a transgender activist, which required the city to either provide dedicated beds for TGNC individuals or open a separate facility specifically for them.

“This landmark moment serves to strengthen New York City’s legacy as a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community,” Destination Tomorrow said in a public statement. “Ace’s Place will provide high-quality transitional housing and specialized support for TGNC New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.”

The program will feature “wraparound services in a trauma-informed setting,” with additional offerings such as a culinary arts program.

Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park praised the shelter for its commitment to “strengthening the safety net for transgender New Yorkers at a time when their rights are roundly under attack.”

“Ace’s Place will offer Transgender New Yorkers a safe place to heal and stabilize in trauma-informed settings with the support of staff who are deeply invested in their growth and wellbeing,” Park said. “We are grateful to have found an incredible partner in Destination Tomorrow, an organization that is rooted in serving the community and has invaluable expertise in addressing unique barriers to housing for TGNC New Yorkers.”

Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter added, “New York City has long been a leader in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and protections, and we’re proud to continue that tradition with the opening of the nation’s first city-funded shelter dedicated to supporting transgender individuals.”