Jonah JacobsWhat can you do if you’re evicted or find yourself living on the streets for some other reason? You could call up friends or family to see if they can help, but what if that option doesn’t exist? If that’s the case, you’ll want to rely on the following resources that can lend a helping hand and fix your housing situation.
What To Do if You’re About To Become Homeless
If it looks like homelessness is near, there are several steps you should take to soften that hard landing.
First, you’ll want to ensure that you have some form of identification and it’s up to date. For instance, if you don’t have your driver’s license/ID or it’s expired, you should do everything you can to get one now. You may have trouble getting into a homeless shelter or getting approved into an assistance program without it.
With your ID in order, your second move should be to store all of your belongings. Don’t count on bringing a lot with you to a shelter, as they often have limits on what you can store in their facilities. As you complete this step, be sure to pack a bag for yourself and any family members that will be accompanying you. This bag should include all essential documents, as well as any medications you’ll need along the way.
Third, set up your mail, so it gets delivered somewhere. If you have nowhere to forward it to, go to the post office and talk to someone. They may have special mail services that help the homeless until they get back on their feet.
How To Find Housing for the Homeless
Once you take all the necessary steps to prepare for homelessness, your next move should be to get a roof over your head. The most immediate way to do so is to go through these channels:
- Contact your local social services agency.
- Use the Homeless Shelter Directory to find help near you.
- Find local homeless assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s site.
There are some important things to keep in mind when searching for a shelter or temporary housing. First is the cost. Normally, you can find free shelters. Some, however, may charge a small fee.
If you need a shelter that provides alcohol or drug rehab services, you can expect a fee to be involved. Luckily, many will be affordable or accept Medicaid.
It’s important to look at homeless shelters as a temporary fix. Your length of stay can range from a couple of weeks to many months, depending on your situation and what’s available. As for what to expect at a shelter, they all differ.
Some, for example, may only offer a place to sleep at night. Others may be transitional. In addition to just housing, some shelters may provide counseling, as well as job training so you can become independent once again.
To transition from homeless shelters to living on your own, it’s recommended that you apply for a more permanent form of housing. You can get this via subsidized or public housing from the government.
