New York City has taken a groundbreaking step by opening the country’s first city-funded shelter dedicated to transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals experiencing homelessness, as announced on August 5, 2025. Located in Long Island City, Queens, the facility, named Ace’s Place, will provide 150 beds and essential services to support transgender New Yorkers facing housing instability, according to Gothamist. The shelter, fully funded by the city at a cost of $65 million through 2030, comes as federal policies under the Trump administration have limited transgender rights, including access to medical care, military service, and gender-affirming federal documents.
Managed by Destination Tomorrow, a Bronx-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit, Ace’s Place aims to create a safe, affirming environment for its residents. Sean Ebony Coleman, the organization’s founder and CEO, emphasized the shelter’s significance, stating, “We’ve watched so many other corporations and foundations and businesses just like completely turn their back on the community, and the city didn’t do it.” Coleman, who identifies as trans masculine, named the shelter after his late mother, nicknamed Ace, who would have turned 72 on the opening day. He added, “It’s an opportunity for you to come home and for you to get loved up on and get all of the things that you need to get right back out here and face this world.”
The shelter addresses a critical need, as nearly one-third of transgender individuals have experienced homelessness, per a 2022 National Center for Transgender Equality study. “They’re in an environment that completely affirms who they are and how they see themselves, which mentally gives you the strength to face any challenge you have,” Coleman told Gothamist, highlighting the psychological benefits of gender-affirming spaces. The facility offers a psychiatrist on-site, culinary classes, GED programs, and job placement assistance, ensuring comprehensive support, per the city’s Department of Social Services.
Key features of Ace’s Place include:
- Capacity: 150 beds for transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.
- Services: On-site psychiatric care, GED classes, culinary training, and job support.
- Affirming Environment: Staff trained to respect residents’ gender identities and pronouns.
Molly Wasow Park, commissioner of the city’s Department of Social Services, noted, “Whether that starts with being kicked out of the home or discrimination in the employment market or all kinds of other things, this is a group that faces real challenges in the housing sector.” The shelter builds on a 2022 legal settlement requiring the city to provide at least 30 transgender-specific beds, with Ace’s Place significantly expanding that capacity. New York City’s commitment reinforces its role as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights, offering a model for other cities.
Sources: Gothamist, The Advocate, The Pink News, National Center for Transgender Equality
