Transitional Housing
We offer free transitional housing exclusively for LGBTQIA+ immigrants through our West Philadelphia home. Residents receive a private, lockable, fully furnished room and can stay with us for up to three months after receiving work authorization—typically 8 to 12 months total.
Residents receive a welcome kit that includes hygiene items, bedding, basic food, grocery cards, transit passes, and a handwritten welcome card.
All housing residents are required to enroll in our case management program. See our case management section below for more details!
Eligibility Requirements
-Be LGBTQIA+
-Be seeking asylum or a similar immigration status
-Be 18 years or older
-Have the ability to receive a work permit in the future
-Be located in the U.S.
-Be open to living in a communal environment
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The most common length of stay is eight months to a year. A resident’s length of stay is determined by where they are in their immigration process and when they become eligible for their work authorization.
Once a resident receives their work authorization in hand, their move out will be three months from that date. (ie. work permit is received on January 1st, move out date is April 1st)
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Generally, asylum seekers have 1 year to file for asylum once they enter the US. After they submit their i-589 asylum application, a “clock” starts counting down 180 days until they are eligible for a work permit.
We base our housing program around this timeline because it is a consistent indicator for when someone might be ready to live self-sufficiently and be prepared to transition out of our home.
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As a small organization with limited housing capacity, we always have a wait list for our rooms. As a spot becoming available is based on the individual progress of our existing residents’ immigration cases, we cannot predict how long it might take for a room to open.
If an individual referred is in a state of housing crisis, we work diligently to make referrals to other local and national housing programs who may have availability.
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Yes, our staff prioritize trans and nonbinary individuals as well as individuals already located in Philadelphia.
We also determine placements based on the level of need each individual is experiencing.
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Immigration statuses are complicated and ever changing. Our team works hard to meet recently arrived LGBTQIA+ immigrants where they are and adjust to the current needs of the community.
We serve individuals with many types of immigration status - not limited to solely asylum seekers.
This often includes individuals seeking another form of immigration status (ie. TPS, T Visa, U Visa, etc.), recently arrived refugees without support networks, or asylees recently released from a detention facilities.
Even if you do not fall into these categories, please still reach out and we can discuss what you might be eligible for! US citizens are not eligible.
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Yes, we house couples! Our housing space is limited to one couple at a time - totaling at six residents in the house.
We love love!
Frequently Asked Housing Questions
How To Request Housing For Yourself
The first step is to complete our initial inquiry form. Please provide us with as much detail as possible about your immigration case and your current housing circumstances, including important dates or major concerns you have.
Due to the number of requests received, we may put you on our waitlist for housing or suggest a referral to a partner organization.
How To Request Housing For A Client
The first step is to complete our initial inquiry form. Please provide us with as much detail as possible about your client’s immigration case and their current housing circumstances, including important dates.
We also request you send an email to coordinate a warm-hand-off call with one of our team members. Introduction emails should be sent to contact@asylumpridehouse.org
Asylum Pride House’s transitional housing program is 100% privately funded, meaning we don't rely on government funding; we rely entirely on the generosity of people like you.
Together, we can ensure LGBTQIA+ immigrants have a safe, welcoming place to call home.
Case Management
For newly arrived LGBTQIA+ immigrants, having dedicated guidance as they begin their journey in the U.S. is life-changing. Navigating complex immigration, medical, and social service systems alone can feel overwhelming—if not impossible.
Our Case Management Program was created so no one has to walk that path alone. Through a 9-month enrollment, we walk alongside each client, offering individualized guidance across 6 key focus areas designed to assist them in laying the foundation for long-term independence here in Philadelphia.
Eligibility Requirements:
LGBTQIA+
Over 18 years old
Be a recent immigrant to the US (within approx. 0-4 years of arrival)
Fall into the following immigration categories:
Asylum Seeker (or recently granted asylum)
Refugee
Parolee
Other forms of humanitarian immigration legal status
Six Pillars of Support
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Asylum Pride House partners with a network of local and national attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to our clients. Legal services are also available independently of our case management program. See our legal services section below for more details.
We also provide direct legal support in the following areas:
Legal screenings
Document preparation
Immigration appointment accompaniment
Referrals for forensic evaluations
Referrals to country conditions specialists
Know Your Rights education
Guidance on understanding immigration processes
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Navigating U.S. housing practices presents a significant challenge for new arrivals. Beyond offering transitional housing, we empower our clients with the knowledge and tools needed to secure safe, stable homes.
Key support areas include:
Renter rights education and lease navigation
Housing search guidance and landlord communication
Logistical support for moving and transportation
Referrals to city housing relief and emergency funds
Education on renter responsibilities and home maintenance
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Our team works with a network of LGBTQIA+ specialized low-to-no-cost healthcare providers to connect clients to often life changing medical treatment.
In addition to these referrals, our team also:
Provides medical appointment accompaniment
Financial assistance for individual therapy
Medical bills guidance
Health insurance guidance
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Entering the workforce for the first time in the US can be very challenging for LGBTQIA+ immigrants, with language barriers, uncertainty about queer affirming employers, and cultural differences.
Our team works closely with each client through the many steps of gaining employment in the US. These often include:
Submitting applications for Employment Authorization Documentation
Resume building
Job search guidance
Job application guidance
Referral to our Proud Employer Partners
Bank account guidance
Financial literacy resources
We also provide a variety of education support, including:
GED guidance & referrals
Referrals to certification programs
Higher education guidance
Referrals to career specific education programs
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We work with our clients to build confidence in their new communities. We connect clients to free or low-cost resources in Philadelphia and teach skills on how to navigate these resources independently.
Common resource referrals include:
Clothing banks
Food banks
We also provide guidance on a variety of focus areas, including:
Drivers license guidance
PA ID guidance
Store / shopping accompaniment
Cell phone guidance
Benefits registration
Social security guidance
Transportation education
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Arriving in a new country can feel isolating and overwhelming. Fostering social connection and linking clients to safe, affirming community spaces across Philadelphia helps to fight against this isolation. This includes connections to:
LGBTQIA+ community centers
Queer affirming sports clubs
Affirming faith communities
Affirming immigrant groups
Music & arts spaces
We also offer in-house community events through out Well-Being for Recently Arrived Persons Program (WRAPP). Read more below!
“I particularly appreciated the quality of the personal and emotional support I received. The team was always available, respectful, and understanding, especially during difficult times.
The program really helped me move forward and feel more stable. I am also very grateful for the help and direction I received regarding my asylum application, as this was a crucial step for me”.
Client Testimony
-Case Management Client
Frequently Asked Case Management Questions
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In the beginning, you will usually meet with your case manager once or twice a week. Over time, meetings become less frequent—typically every other week or quick check-ins over the phone. The schedule is always flexible and driven by your individual goals and priorities.
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Our organization measures impact by looking at where our clients are when they arrive in our programming to where they are when they leave.
Ultimately, our greatest goal is for clients to leave our program having awareness of resources, ability to navigate their new communities more independently, and have a stronger social network to rely on for support.
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Generally, you will be contacted by our case manager to schedule an intake meeting at our office. In that meeting you will talk about your personal needs and any goals you hope to work on.
You will sign a variety of documents that give us your consent to make referrals to social service and legal professionals on your behalf.
If at any time you choose you do not want to continue in the enrollment process, you can simply tell our case manager you do not wish to continue. There is no pressure and we are here if you are ever ready again.
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Many individuals reach out to us only needing legal services. We do accept clients who only need legal assistance, which you can read more about in our legal services program section below.
How To Request Case Management For Yourself
The first step is to complete our initial inquiry form. Please provide us with as much detail as possible about your immigration case and your current needs, including important dates or major concerns you have.
Due to the number of requests received, we may put you on our waitlist for case management or suggest a referral to a partner organization.
How To Request Case Management For A Client
The first step is to complete our initial inquiry form. Please provide us with as much detail as possible about your clients’ immigration case and their current needs, including important dates.
We also request you send an email to coordinate a warm-hand-off call with one of our team members. Introduction emails should be sent to contact@asylumpridehouse.org
Legal Support
In response to increasing demand for LGBTQIA+ immigration legal support, Asylum Pride House is accepting clients seeking legal-only services alongside our ongoing case management work.
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Asylum Pride House partners with a network of local and national attorneys to provide pro bono legal services to our clients. These partners include national immigration nonprofits, local firms, and law schools.
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Yes! Reach out to us at contact@asylumpridehouse.org to schedule an introduction conversation. We would love to have you join our network of legal partners.
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Aside from referrals to attorneys, we provide direct legal support in the following areas:
Legal screenings
Document preparation
Immigration appointment accompaniment
Referrals for forensic evaluations
Referrals to country conditions specialists
Know Your Rights education
Guidance on understanding immigration processes
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For clients receiving full representation legal assistance, your attorney will work with you until your legal case has concluded. For asylum seekers, this means until you have a final answer on whether or not you are granted asylum.
For our additional legal support services (see tab above), our team will work with you for three months. After that point, we will check in periodically with you to make sure you are still safely on your immigration journey.
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Asylum Pride House focuses on supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking humanitarian immigration protection.
Cases we are able to refer to our legal partners include:
Asylum Applications
T or U Visas
VAWA
TPS
Withholding CAT
Refugee Adjustment of Status
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Yes! Our team works with many detained individuals across the country for legal services.
Being detained means your legal timeline moves quickly, making early preparation essential.
If you or a loved one are detained and need legal assistance, please connect with us as soon as possible so we can help.
Legal support continues to be the #1 need of all individuals reaching out to Asylum Pride House.
Pro bono and full representation is our goal!
Resource Distribution
Many individuals come to us directly after being released from detention or have spent time being unhoused. With limited income and few to no belongings, these initial resources are critical to easing the shock of displacement and help meet recently arrived LGBTQIA+ immigrants’ basic needs.
These resources include: Hygiene supplies, comfort items, food, clothing, furniture, and transit passes.
If you want to donate distribution items or organize a drive, go to our supply donation page to learn more!
WRAPP supports the emotional well-being and community integration of LGBTQIA+ asylum-seeking individuals through structured group activities that promote healing, joy, and health. Events are open to past and current clients
Well-Being for Recently Arrived Persons Program
Previous Outings
Yoga Class
Nutrition & Cooking Class
Sound Bath
Philly Zoo Excursion
Philly Art Museum Excursion
Clay Class
Dance Class
“Señor Ratón” - Client Art