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New York City Opens Nation’s First City-Funded Shelter Exclusively for Trans People
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In a historic move, New York City has opened Ace’s Place, the nation’s first city-funded shelter dedicated exclusively to serving transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals facing homelessness . Located in Long Island City, Queens, the 150-bed facility is managed by Destination Tomorrow, a Bronx-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit, and represents a significant expansion of the city’s capacity to address the unique challenges faced by TGNC New Yorkers .
The shelter’s opening comes amid a national climate where transgender people face heightened vulnerability to homelessness and legislative attacks on their rights. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, nearly a third of transgender Americans report having experienced homelessness at some point in their lives—a stark indicator of systemic barriers to housing and safety for this community .
Ace’s Place is more than just a shelter; it is designed as a holistic, trauma-informed transitional housing program. The facility will offer specialized support services tailored to the needs of TGNC residents, including mental health care, job training, and community resource connections .
A notable feature is its culinary arts program, leveraging two state-of-the-art commercial kitchens to provide residents with vocational skills and pathways to employment. “Ace’s Place is a community-driven answer to systemic neglect, and it’s only the beginning,” said Sean Ebony Coleman, founder and CEO of Destination Tomorrow, in a statement. “We look forward to providing hundreds of TGNC individuals with the holistic services they need to access long-term housing and economic empowerment” .
The shelter is named in honor of Coleman’s late mother, whose nickname was “Ace,” underscoring the personal and community-driven nature of the project .
The facility will cost $65 million to operate through 2030, fully funded by the city—a clear demonstration of New York’s commitment to supporting its LGBTQ+ residents even as federal protections for transgender people have come under threat in recent years . The city already had a legal obligation to provide at least 30 shelter beds for TGNC individuals, but Ace’s Place significantly expands that capacity and marks the first time a U.S. city has established a dedicated TGNC shelter with municipal funding .
Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park emphasized the significance of the shelter’s opening: “We couldn’t be prouder to make this historic announcement that strongly affirms our values and commitment to strengthening the safety net for transgender New Yorkers at a time when their rights are roundly under attack. Ace’s Place will provide high-quality transitional housing and specialized support for TGNC New Yorkers experiencing homelessness” .
The need for such a facility is acute. Data from The Trevor Project in 2022 found that 38% of transgender girls/women, 39% of transgender boys/men, and 35% of nonbinary youth in the U.S. have experienced homelessness or housing instability, compared to 23% of cisgender LGBQ youth, highlighting the disproportionate impact on TGNC populations .
The opening of Ace’s Place positions New York City as a national leader in providing affirming, lifesaving resources for transgender people. Advocates hope this model will inspire similar initiatives across the country. “The city is keeping in line with what New York City has always been: a sanctuary city, a safe haven, but more importantly, a trendsetter when it comes to LGBTQ rights,” Coleman told media outlets .
As TGNC Americans continue to face mounting challenges, the creation of Ace’s Place offers a beacon of hope and a blueprint for inclusive, community-based solutions to homelessness and housing insecurity.
