Bea Arthur’s Shelter For Homeless LGBT Youth Set For 2017 Opening

The center, located at 222 East 13th Street in Manhattan’s East Village, will feature 18 rooms and with the AFC’s transitional living program it will offer LGBTI youth a safe place to call home while they are guided on their way to independence.

A recent report found that 40% of the homeless youth served by agencies identify as LGBT. 

by Adam Salandra 8/28/2016

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We told you last year about construction on the Bea Arthur Residence, an 18-bed shelter for homeless LGBT youth operated by New York’s Ali Forney Center, and now the project is nearing the final stages of completion.

 The Ali Forney Story

The shelter’s construction is slated to be finished by February 2017 and workers are hoping to open their doors soon after. 

Arthur was a long-time supporter of the LGBT community, especially young members, and left $300,000 in her will to the Ali Forney Center, which provides housing for young people in New York City. 

“These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay or transgender,” Arthur said before her passing. “This organization really is saving lives.

The shelter was originally scheduled to open this summer, but the run-down building had a few Department of Building violations against it that first needed to be resolved. 

Progress is now being made, however, and the building will soon be open to provide shelter, on-site counseling and case management to New York’s LGBT homeless youth. 

Adam Salandra

Adam Salandra is a writer, comedian, and TV host in Los Angeles. When he's not covering the latest in pop culture, you can find him playing with his French Bulldog puppy or hovering over the table of food at any social gathering.

@adamsalandra 

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