New York City has made history with the opening of Ace’s Place, the first city-funded shelter in the United States created specifically for transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experiencing homelessness.
According to Gothamist, the facility is located in Long Island City, Queens, the 150-bed facility is a major step toward addressing housing inequities for the TGNC community, who face disproportionately high rates of homelessness and discrimination in traditional shelter systems. The shelter is operated by Destination Tomorrow, a Bronx-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit led by trans advocate Sean Ebony Coleman.
A First of Its Kind
While some cities offer inclusive shelter beds, Ace’s Place is the first standalone facility of its kind in the country, fully backed by municipal funding. The City of New York has committed $65 million to operate the shelter through 2030.
“Ace’s Place is more than just a building. It’s a declaration that transgender and nonbinary people belong,” said Coleman. “It’s a community-led response to decades of exclusion, and we’re proud to provide holistic care that helps our people thrive, not just survive.”
The name of the shelter pays tribute to Coleman’s late mother, known affectionately as “Ace.”
What Ace’s Place Offers
Designed with input from the TGNC community, the shelter offers trauma-informed care and wraparound services meant to promote stability and independence. Residents have access to:
- On-site psychiatric services
- GED and culinary classes
- Job readiness training and placement
- Case management
- Housing assistance
- Support groups and life skills workshops
The shelter also allows residents to live in alignment with their gender identity without fear of misgendering or discrimination, an unfortunately common experience in traditional shelters.
“Walking into a space where you’re affirmed from the start gives you the strength to take on challenges,” Coleman said. “When you’re constantly invalidated, it’s almost impossible to heal or move forward.”
A Legal and Moral Imperative
Ace’s Place is the result of a 2021 legal settlement brought by a transgender rights advocate. The agreement required the city to either set aside a minimum number of shelter beds for TGNC people or open a dedicated facility.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park said the city had already committed to placing people in shelters that align with their gender identity, but this facility offers something deeper: safety, community and belonging.
“This shelter is a historic and urgent affirmation of our values,” Park said. “At a time when transgender rights are under nationwide attack, New York is saying: ‘You matter. You are safe here.’”
The Numbers Behind the Need
According to The Trevor Project, nearly 40% of transgender youth have faced homelessness or housing instability, rates significantly higher than their cisgender queer peers. A 2022 report from the National Center for Transgender Equality also found that nearly one-third of all trans adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives.
Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter said the new shelter builds on New York City’s legacy as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights. “This is about more than meeting a need. It’s about setting a standard,” she said.
Chanel Lopez, Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for the New York State Executive Chamber, echoed the sentiment: “This shelter isn’t just historic, it’s lifesaving.”
