The city is opening a shelter safe for those in the LGBT community.

City Councilman Ritchie Torres says that some studies suggest 40 percent of runaway homeless youth are LGBT, and that many are not welcome at traditional shelters. He says the new shelter opening in the Bathgate section of the Bronx will be a place of refuge for vulnerable LGBT youth.

The new center will likely have more than 80 units and be tied to programs to get those staying there working.

Torres says the plan is to hire culturally competent employees with firsthand LGBT community experience. He spoke about the plan Friday at Fordham University, saying homeless LGBT young adults are more likely to get aids or HIV, tied up in the criminal justice system or abuse drugs.

No official date has been released for when the shelter will open, but Torres says the city is finalizing the project.