Ohio LGBTQ+ youth center to end housing program after losing state funds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A longtime central Ohio LGBTQ+ youth organization is closing its housing program that has served more than 50 young people since 2019 after losing state funding.

The Columbus-based organization, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, announced the closure on Tuesday, citing the Ohio Department of Health's decision in 2024 to pull more than $500,000 from the program's funding. In August, the department told the center it would cease all funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

"Like almost every other LGBTQIA+ organization across the country, and non-profits here at home, we have been hit hard as a result of the current socio-political climate," the center said in a statement. "This grant has been a significant source of funding for our housing program since 2021."

Connected to KYC's drop-in center at 603 E. Town St., the program was created to aide young adults age 18 to 24 prevent or exit homelessness and find stable housing. At least 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ and they are 120% more likely to experiences homelessness, the center said, with a majority forced out of their homes due to family rejection or abuse.  

While the program is shuttering, the timeline is still in question. The participants were informed of the closure on Sept. 8, and the center's goal is to maintain housing services through July 2026 when its final lease ends. Although KYC does not have a current date by which they will need to move, the soonest would be early to mid-November.

"This would provide the resources and time to safely and humanely transition the 10 current participants while decreasing the threat of returning to homelessness," KYC's statement said. "Requests have been made to the Franklin County Commissioners, Columbus City Council, and many advocates and donors, and we are currently awaiting their response."

Before the Ohio Department of Health's decision to halt 2025-26 funding, Kaleidoscope said it received a letter from the department regarding House Bill 96, legislation outlining Ohio's 2026-27 budget that previously included a provision the prohibits funding "to youth shelters that promote social gender transition."

The department's letter asked Kaleidoscope to indicate whether it "qualifies for funding under this requirement." The center said it explained in its response that its services don't fall under the designation of a "youth shelter."

Ultimately, Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed H.B. 96's youth shelter provision, arguing "no Ohio youth should be denied shelter from a facility that receives state funds."

The housing program's closure comes after a myriad of changes at Kaleidoscope. The center announced in August that executive director Erin Upchurch will step down at the end of this year after nearly eight years of leadership. Amanda Erickson and Jennifer Kuhn, senior associate directors at KYC, will serve as interim co-directors in 2026 when the search for a permanent executive director begins.

"While we're sad to see Erin go, we respect and appreciate her leadership," said KYC board chair Lee Tepper. "She joined the organization in early 2018, in the midst of a tumultuous time in the community following Pride in 2017. Her ability to strategically navigate community discord, care for staff, connect with youth, and pursue the possibility of a kinder, safer, and more affirming
world is a gift that will be missed."

Kaleidoscope also celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 and is now embarking on an expansion that it would see it replicate the inclusive space it has cultivated at its Columbus drop-in center in the northwest region of the state. This expansion follows the sunset of Spectrum, a Findlay LGBTQ+ organization that collaborated closely with KYC to ensure a smooth transition.

"One of the things that we've always had in our long-term strategic plan is more rural outreach outside of central Ohio," Kuhn said in an August interview with NBC4. "Particularly, when you're thinking about safer and affirming spaces, there aren't always as many of those outside of the cities."

The center noted that its 2025-26 grant request to the Ohio Department of Health for the housing program was $241,500. KYC is urging those who can to donate at KYCOhio.org/Donate, or consider sponsoring a young person for up to six months, at about $1,000 a month, to support moving costs and furnishings.

"Our youth are scared, and so are we. It is not okay that they are facing the threat of returning to homelessness," the center's statement said. "And it is not okay that they are having to independently raise money to meet their basic needs."