I get this post may seem odd to some of you but it seems so because I'm trying my best not to share anything that would be too many irl details overall.

It's been about a year since I became homeless, have never begged on the streets in my life and I wonder if feeling like if you were to do that you'd attract too much negative attention towards yourself in the sense of having people constantly try to prey on you once they see you doing it is common amongst other homeless people (I don't even Look remotely homeless at all , people who do this wouldn't hesitate to ask me for money and maybe wouldn't believe me if I said I'm also homeless) and I mean generally i'm sticking out like a sore thumb, I kinda look like a girl but sound like a guy 😆 which i'd guess doesn't help if you're actually out there experimenting with this begging thing . I probably won't even do it am only asking this in case I would ever find myself doing it for whatever reason.

Feel Free To Dm me! - im guessing some of you might've felt like you were having a stroke Reading this -

PS : mods pls don't see this as me asking for money (I definitely am not) Just genuinely seeking advice from other homeless people / former homeless people / anyoane with insight in this aspect of it.

As soon as I get my shit together Im going to start setting up a booth outside of every salvation army one at a time giving away dinner and free nights stays in hotels. Every single day right as they open their doors until they don't have the foot traffic to justify keeping their non profit status. Then moving on to the next one and solving all of the issues for the people that would have gotten PTSD instead of help at that location. Once that's done I'm moving on to the catholic churches.

I constantly see this. For example in order to stay clean I hear advice like you need a gym membership to use their showers. Well how do you afford that? If I had funds then I wouldn't be in this situation. I am somebody of principle, and I will not ask people to give me anything just because I have nothing. I would much rather take chips and risk getting sent back to eastern europe (legally btw) than asking somebody to buy me anything or give any funds.

The biggest issue for me is smell. I do not want to reek and while I can wash in the river, I cannot do the same with clothes, as they will not be fully clean. Laundry also sounds very expensive and time consuming.

There's this really nice homeless guy near my house who never bothers anyone, never asks people for things, never panhandles, he just goes in the garbage and gets out half eaten food and drinks.

We live in the Southwest desert, where it's extremely hot and dry in the summer, and it can get into the low 30s in the winter with a very dry and mean chill factor. Just an fyi.

I'm trying to save some money to get this fellow a sleeping bag, and hopefully a jacket. Right now he just wears a thin T-shirt and loose pants.

I'd like to get him a sleeping bag, a backpack, and fill it with some essentials like a can opener, some canned food to get him started, a few changes of socks and underwear, and a sweatshirt with a pair of sweatpants he can put on over his clothes when it gets colder out or when he needs another layer in his sleeping bag.

Any suggestions on what I should add?

I've given him water on several occasions, along with protein bars, and he may have mental health issues, and if so, by now he does recognize me as a "friend", and I use the term loosely, as opposed to someone out to get him.

On two occasions, I sat down and chatted with this guy. He's not completely bonkers, but he definitely is not the type that would be able to hold down a job unless he went through some type of rehabilitation program. But that's neither here nor there.

I sat down with him once and chatted for just a little while, but I could tell he wasn't that comfortable so I let him be with his water and stuff and said goodbye and I'll see him around.

The next time I chatted with him was a month or two later. Upon talking, I asked him his name and this young man said, "I don't know," without skipping a beat. I don't know what the deal is about that, unless he's being particularly vague because that's how he protects himself, which is completely fine and understandable with me. He may not be comfortable enough to tell me his name and that's okay. Or he might honestly not know or remember his name. I don't know if this guy has had a major TBI, a brain tumor, amnesia or a mental illness and he doesn't remember his name or may just be off certain meds. All of which I understand. Also, he doesn't know if I'm some undercover cop, sneaky ass social worker, someone trying to get him back to inpatient, or if he has a mental illness he might think I'm CIA, someone trying to get him, whatever for all I know. Whatever his worries may be.

I wonder if he hangs with other homeless people in the tunnels near where I live, or if he has a tent, or something. He seems like such a loner. I've never seen him with anyone else. But I know that's common. I wonder if he has other homeless friends who watch over each other. Maybe he goes by a nickname, or maybe he's a complete loner and really doesn't know his name. I've got no idea.

He carries no backpack, only different plastic bags that people have given him, or he's gotten out of the trash. I give him water and snacks sometimes, not leftovers with my germs on them. I know some people do that, and some homeless folks appreciate it, but I wouldn't want to eat after your fork has been in your mouth and been touching every mouth-germ-covered bite of what's in that container. (However if you have gotten left overs and loved it because it was fresh warm restaurant cooking and not convenience store snacks, please educate me! I am admittedly very weird about germs and sharing food.) start to get him McDonald's or something now that it's getting cold. He does seem to be well fed, which is good. Probably because he is a handsome kid (unfortunately and unfairly looks play a part in a lot of things in life), as well as he doesn't harass or beg. I told him I was going to be back in a month or so to bother him again and maybe give him some more snacks and water, but not too soon because I know he's a loner type. And I told him I'm kind of the same way. We chatted for a while longer. I was cussing and then I realized he wasn't so I toned it down and when I asked him if he swears, and I had to explain it like does he use bad words like fuck and shit and damn, he didn't really answer but I think he doesn't. Then he told me how people trip him out. He said one night he was hanging out just sitting there and some Mexican guys (no offense Mexican guys) had their girls driving with their naked asses hanging out the windows to mess with him. So maybe he does say ass, LOL.

I hate it when people fuck with homeless people or the otherwise underprivileged. Like haha so funny, idiot.

Anyway we chatted some more, and when I walked away I told him I'll see him again soon, and he pointed at me and laughed and said, "Yeah you're going to come back and bother me!" with a smile and a laugh (first time I heard a real laugh from him) like he was clearly looking forward to it. I've gotten him to trust me a little bit I think.

I know I still have to be careful since I'm a woman and even though this guy is not big, he is ripped. Also, the guy looks like he could be a model in a surfer magazine or REI summer edition. And he's just a young kid. I can't really tell how old he is, maybe late twenties and looks really good for his age? Maybe 19 and looks rough for his age? I wish I could get him a steady modeling career.

I'm also in my fifties so I find it really hard to age people nowadays. (Ex: One of my doctors has a P.A.-C and if I saw her in the grocery store, I would swear she's 19.)

Hey y'all, I'm hoping this is the right subreddit for this question. If it's not, I would appreciate it if someone would point me in the right direcion.

For the holiday season I was wanting to put some cheap care packages together for the large homeless population that I live pretty close to. However, I wanted to put things in the bags that homeless people often need, but are very rarely offered. I live in Texas, so I was thinking like socks, sunscreen, things of that nature. Is there anything that is useful for living on the street that you never get (that I could preferably purchase in bulk)?

Thank you!

Hi everyone, back in march I made the very stupid decision to steal a small item from walmart. Value was less than 5 dollars, but I was still arrested (Very much deserved regardless). Any way my case ended with a withhold of adjudication sentence so no formal conviction but the charge is still on my record.

When it comes to work most of my experience comes from retail. I really don’t have much experience in any other kinds of fields. And I know that even with the most minor kind of theft charge, retail stores are still extremely apprehensive about hiring an individual with any kind of theft on their record.

Other than retail what kind of other entry level jobs I can try and shoot for? I’ve been trying to find gig work online and usually it’s people who seem like scammers.

Any advice would be HEAVILY appreciated!

Hey, I’m new to being homeless. I just got kicked out a few days ago, and I need advice. I’ve been crashing on my friend’s couch for the past few days, but I don’t want to stay like this forever. I just— I don’t know what to do. Like I said, I’m completely new to being homeless, so I just need advice.

Just became homeless after escaping an abusive situation and went to a place that claims they help homeless people with rapid rehoming/finding a shelter/etc, but it was literally just me going in giving out my income information and ton of other stuff then getting handed two bags of food (which is nice) and two phone numbers and then they just kinda sent me on my way… not sure why I needed to give the information due to the fact that they told me their job was done after handing me the supplies… one place is apparently a central call center for helping the homeless that you have to call in order to get help apparently but they just immediately hung up with me and the other one isn’t accepting anybody… I’m kinda not sure what to do now.

I don’t have friends that I can go to, I don’t really have anywhere but gas stations to sleep in my car at, I’m kinda just so lost and I’m sorry if this is incoherent it’s kinda just a rant at this point because I feel so defeated… so useless… I’m working 32-40 hours a week and can’t afford basic living essentials escaping an abusive situation and being turned away from people claiming to want to help just… what the fuck man….

So, I have health issues and can't walk too much and can't stand too much (have to, ideally, lie down or grunt through sitting) so I can't walk 1h one way to a place with trees.

I'm looking up Dublin, Ireland on Google maps with satellite mode on and there's just plain green areas but not with trees. Those that have trees are near houses and they're gated.

I'm not sure what to do. 🤔

There's a park with some trees that I might use but it doesn't seem like it's fully sheltered from people and I don't think I want to risk someone taking a route near my tent and reporting it, or worse, stealing my things.

Anyone from Ireland that has dealt with this in the past?

So yesterday I made a post talking about my first steps in to homelessness and I called that weird central outreach thing that you apparently have to call to get in to a shelter (weird thing for my state ig) only to be immediately hung up on.

Yesterday I called them again and they did an intake on me and told me I qualified for a place and that they’ll transfer me to a “navigating shelter coordinator”??? Or at least something similar to that my memory is kinda hazy through all of this… but I was transferred to the navigation housing whoever and left on voicemail telling me they’ll reply with in 24-72 hours which means I’ll probably get lost in the back log of voicemails but I also can’t really call back because I was transferred with out getting a number.

So what do I do…? Just wait until they call me back still sleeping in my car in gas station parking lots or do I call the first number and ask again today?

I’m finally free of homelessness and it’s been such a wild ride. Though only a few months have passed, I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop at times. Waiting for the eviction notice I know won’t come. Waiting for the empty fridge that isn’t there. Waiting for the freezing cramped back seat I don’t need to sleep in anymore.
There’s freedom in being homeless. Not having to worry about so many things. Being able to be invisible. But also, being invisible sucks! No showers, no respect, no real friends.
Thank gosh it’s over but it doesn’t feel over yet. Does anyone else have these same feelings?

Little did I know how hard it is to find housing. Stayed with friends for a year in a state that had no expanded Medicaid. Lots of affordable housing though; new housing going up like gangbusters! Per Federal law, they had to provide very basic indigent care so I got that until my provider cut me off a controlled medication for my seizures. So rather than have seizures, I moved a state over and was able to get Medicaid right away and my seizure medication. The city I moved to has all kinds of neat resources for homeless like healthcare, counseling, peer groups, addiction services, even an art studio where you can make art and sell it at the farmer's market. Pretty cool, right?! But the housing coordinator told me there is no housing. She put me on a waitlist for a senior low-income complex but said don't hold my breath. She suggested looking into other counties in the state as there is less competition for housing.

So I did and read that the second largest city in the state had an award-winning "one-stop shop" for the homeless, considered the gold standard by which other cities should emulate. Supposedly a housing first model. I've been here two weeks and what a let down. The demand is of course higher than the supply and since this is a retiree mecca, boomers turn up in droves at planning meetings to shoot down any low income housing projects. Basically the housing navigator said I was SOL. The health clinic has a month wait whereas the one in the bigger city was like urgent care where you could be seen the same day. More job opportunities too. The caveat is the weather is colder and the heater in my car is broken. What a catch-22.

Just wondering if folks here move around. Do you go where the best services are or where the weather is better? Or do you stay where you have the most connections like friends, family, job opportunities?

I'm 17 and went through homelessness after I got out of jail for 5 months. It

s hard out there it honestly is. I struggled with clothes and eating mainly but honestly it was bad I kept throwing up my own stomach acid from not eating and it always feels like your empty it was a weird position i was in but now im out of it something i learned is how much the smallest thing can make such a huge change in life

I am semi-housed and I need to have some things mailed to me. My id is expired and the things are actually to help me renew my id. From what I've read, USPS general delivery will only release mail to you with a currently up-to-date id. With the number of unhoused in NYC, this can't be a unique problem. Any guidance on where to look. Right now based in Jamaica, Queens.

It even has a hood. Saw it on tourists in Dublin, Ireland when it was raining. I don't know it's name and can't find it online. I'm interested in buying so I don't get soaked and can remain dry when I get into my sleeping bag in the winter.

LE: poncho it is. thank you, everyone! your help is much appreciated!

Just to store my important documents only.

3" x 10" x 24" 76mm x 254mm x 610mm

H x W x L

I don't think I'll even have the money. Will have to eat poorly to afford it every month (like some pasta with olive oil and a bit of cheese boxes from Lidl).

Is it worth it?

https://www.kcra.com/article/joshuas-house-sacramento-hospice-for-homeless/74235513

How do you do it? I'm in my 50's and have never been homeless before. Living in a motel but will run out of savings soon. Moved to this area because it's warm, and supposedly has robust homeless services. Was told they can't help me until I'm unsheltered. I have chronic conditions and don't know how I'm going to survive. I have an old car I can live in but no income at all.

Started volunteering at a local homeless shelter a few weeks back, and basically my job is controlling the bathrooms making sure no one is over staying in there for more than 5 min etc, I’m just seeing if anyone else has done this roll as sometimes I need to clean up and change out paper towel toilet paper etc the bathrooms are also use a card to un lock em my question is should I be wearing PPE such as mask & gloves? Also like shoe coverings as sometimes they get a little nasty?

Couldn't decide which flair to go with so I'm just going with one that probably fits best. I've been briefly homeless for a few days at a time before, but no longer than that. Recently I was kicked out of my roommate's place with no notice. I have no idea where it's safe to sleep or how to keep myself safe. I've been spending days at Starbucks for shelter and a place to charge my phone but I have no clue what to do at night and all the shelters in a reasonable distance either don't have openings for weeks or need a bajillion documents that I either don't have or don't know how to get. Any advice is welcomed.

Hi everyone! My fiancée and I are trying to find stable, affordable housing in LA County before we risk becoming homeless. We have about 6 months to prepare. She works part-time, and I’m actively looking for work.
I’m a 38-year-old woman with a lower-back injury and diabetes with mild neuropathy, so I’m also looking for resources that may accommodate medical limitations. We’re a lesbian couple, and my current family living situation has become increasingly difficult due to addiction-related issues and a lack of acceptance of our relationship.
We have two cats and a bunny, so pet-friendly housing is important. We need to stay reasonably close to her job, but we’re open to different housing options and programs.
Does anyone know of LGBTQ+-friendly housing programs, rental assistance, transitional housing, shared housing, or organizations that help couples in situations like ours? Any leads, contacts, or personal experiences would mean a lot. Thank you!

Sorry I hate to be a drag but last night I went to Domino's and I had a few bucks on my cash app so I got a snack before I left to go to someone's house who said I can stay there for a while. His lights were on but he didn't answer so I went back downtown and walked into some bushes. Also why I was at Domino's I put my hand in my pocket to grab something and I forgot I had cash on me and I just got paid for one day and I lost it in the store I guess. To make things even better I woke up in my back tire was deflated, so I'm stuck with 120 lb ebike again with a flat. I'm going to have to leave my bike somewhere well I work and it will not be locked up because my keys also missing for my lock.

Things like this tend to happen in threes for me, just waiting to see what it is.

Also on Friday I got a call from this place called McDonald hotel which is not really a motel it's just an old building which was a hotel at one point. The woman asked me if I had 5 years consecutively employed well I did tell her that I did not have 5 years working straight the past 5 years because I've been on the street and I'm trying to get off it. But I will get it most of the people that live there don't work and a lot of them do drugs I work and I do not touch drugs. I can't even get into that place it's going to be impossible to get somewhere else. I honestly don't know what to do right now.

Hi all, here are some local resources if you are currently unhoused or struggling🩷

ARCH - Austin Resource Center for the Homeless Day Resources 
Address: 500 E 7th St, 78701 
Hours: M-F 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Closed 11:30-12:30pm) 
Phone: [(512) 978-9920](tel:(512)%20978-9920) 

2-1-1 Texas 
Services: Free 24/7 Referral Hotline (Housing, Food, Health, Shelter) 
Phone: Dial [211](tel:211) or [(877) 541-7905](tel:(877)%20541-7905) 

Caritas of Austin 
Services: Housing & Employment Services 
Address: 611 Neches St, 78701 
Hours: M-Th 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM & Fri 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 
Phone: [(512) 479-4610](tel:(512)%20479-4610) 

Downtown Austin Community Court 
Services: Case Management & Cleanup Services 
Address: 505 Barton Springs Road (First Floor), 78704 
Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Phone: [(512) 974-4879](tel:(512)%20974-4879) 

Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center 
Services: Day Center for Showers, Meals, Outreach 
Address: 4430 Menchaca Road, 78745 
Hours: M-F 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 
Phone: [(512) 368-2685](tel:(512)%20368-2685) 

TOOF - The Other Ones Foundation 
Services: Work Programs (Esperanza site) 
Phone: [(512) 568-7557](tel:(512)%20568-7557) 

The Charlie Center 
Services: Meals, I.D., Bus Passes, Showers, Mail, Housing Case Management, & more 
Address: 12675 Research Blvd, 78759 
Additional Info: Bus 383 Tue, Wed & Thur 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

El Buen Samaritano 
Services: Food pantry & case management 
Address: 1104 E 11th St 
Hours: Tue-Thu 9-11am 
Phone: [(512) 439-8900](tel:(512)%20439-8900)