I am no longer homeless, but I was for about 4 yrs. One year around thanksgiving I decided to make my own festivities. I went to Safeway and stole potatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and some Italian sausages. I went back to a camp where a lot of homeless pass through and made a fire and made a big stir fry and gave it out to all that passed by. It was a great time and felt so good to see everyone well fed and happy. I hope you all find a little bit of joy this year.

Any advice on organizations or anything that can help almost immediately to avoid being homeless? I’m just desperately looking…

I love the hotel Im in better than being on the streets.

4 tea spoons (MRE spoons)Hershey's Special Dark Bakers chocolate 7 tea spoons sugar Half a packet of powdered milk 32 oz Water

I know this is weird to post in homeless, but I'm homeless. It is absurdly could where I am. I get so fucking depressed. I've lost my home, my dog, my son. I've been through hell and the cold nights are harsh, and more often than not wet. Making this before bed on my little alcohol stove helps keep me warm through the night. I put the canteen under my insulation with me and drink on it throughout the night on the harsher nights. It helps, maybe it will help some of you. We don't have much but many of us have food stamps. And this stretches them further than using the premade packets.

Two weeks from now, my girlfriend and I are going to Akron, Ohio. We're currently in the Mahoning Valley, and we've burned through every resource we can. All housing we can get either has their lists closed until 2025, or has a minimum of a year of waiting. Can't go to a DV shelter without an active police case, can't get into a rehab without a history of treatment (saying you sobered and cleaned up on your own accord without help from a facility doesn't fly). Can't get into transitional housing because the housing coordinator for the (Un)Help(ful) Network of NE Ohio fkn hates both of us and refuses to help us any further. Neither of us have any real connections left in the area, aside from her sister, who's also homeless and been a real bastion of support for us, but she'd rather stay here with her boyfriend. The little lady has been homeless for nearly two years now, and I for eight months.

The plan is to winter in Akron, get jobs and save up money to head west. Like Pacific Coast west. Or maybe not. Maybe just travel until we find ourselves and our community. Tbh I feel a calling back toward Chico, California (where I briefly lived as a teen in 2008). She's simply happy going where I go. It's a shame it's come to this, because I absolutely love the charm of Youngstown and Warren, but there's no point in staying if all that's really keeping us here is sentiment.

Maybe we'll take Greyhound/regional buses, maybe we'll take Amtrak, maybe we'll hitchhike, maybe we'll try train hopping, or maybe we'll just tramp. My legs are restless and recent events in the world have my anxiety at an all time high and I need new faces and new places to bury the worries of the world. I at least want to explore what I can of the world before humanity destroys it.

So these filthy bastards that set up camp near me decided to not only steal from me but destroy my tent and camp that I have been at going on 2 years. They are building a tarp dwelling in the woods that has more square ft than a 4 bedroom house and instead of buying tarps (they work) they take mine and put me back to square one I've been dreaming and scheming about what I'm going to do the police here kinda suggested that "I deal with it" I'm open to suggestions

People don't get that rehab is such a short term fix. It only works if you have a sober support that will take you in. 90 days of treatment later I will still have no job, no money, and no where to stay. If I go back to the streets I will relapse. There's no chance out there. I am feeling so hopeless 😔

I graduated today and I turn 18 in 5ish months. I am currently unemployed, but I am nonstop looking for a job.

I know it's different in every state but if anyone has any information about how I could go about getting benefits please let me know.

I know it's possible to get food stamps at 17 or younger but I don't even know how to go about doing that and everyone I ask just brushes me off and the things I found on the internet were confusing and just kinda made me feel dumb for not understanding.

I originally wrote out my whole life story explaining my living situation and why I need this (the thing I mainly need is a medical card) but I decided I didn't want to share that much information. If I get this I will be able to live with my boyfriend and have a permanent place to live.

So I should have enough for an apartment for one year in Dallas, Texas. I plan to save up to $8,000. Plus I should have my job to transfer there. It should only take me 3 months to save up this much. I’m lucky to make $20.50 an hour. This should be enough to survive on. I hope to keep this job to keep myself going and to make the move. I plan to go without telling anyone.

I really can’t wait to get out of here. I already have a little bit of savings. Once my second check comes in, I will have $690. I might have to use $100 of that though. So I will have $590. Which is still good. I plan to keep working as much as I can. So I can save up a lot more. I should definitely have at least $4,000-$8,000 saved up by the time I leave. I will wait for March, So $8,000 for sure. I just have to make it through each shift at work.

I really can’t wait to get out of here.

Never done it but I've been told this will help repel mosquitoes like say a citronella candle would because of the smoke and also the sap smell.

Just found out there's a massive cyclone heading my way. They're expecting winds that could drive waves as high as seventy feet. (Coastal Oregon) We're currently parked near a low lying river that connects directly to the ocean, and don't have the gas to flee the area. Not sure what we're gonna do, but this may be it...

Edit: Got some help and some reassurance, I think we'll be alright. Might be a rough couple days, but we'll get away from the potential flooding and have enough gas to at least run the van for warmth.

It's a long shot... My backpack has been stolen with very important personal items in it. Now, the case is in law court. The court has given me the name and address (homeless shelter) of the accused, but not the contact information.

Accusation is court's job. I am asking for advice: What can I do in order to get contact with this person in order to retrieve my personal items?

As a homeless man living in a tent I figured a positive post might help my fellow road warriors. I recently got enough documentation to get a legit id so I can get a job :) nothing worse than being willing to work but dont have the required info to prove your you. I wish a blessed monday on all my fellow people

So I have a pretty convenient spot near where I stay that has given us permission to use their outdoor outlets to charge our devices. Recently I've had two of my portable chargers stolen when I left them to charge, so I now have to sit with my devices while they are charging which is inconvenient at best and often prohibits me from being able to charge at all. So I had the idea to get some sort of box that I can put my devices in while they are charging that I can put a lock on and also lock on to an anchor point so it also cannot be carried away. Bonus points if it's waterproof/water-resistant. I am having a difficult time finding something like this online but I think I'm just not sure what to search for. If anyone knows of something like this or has another idea to solve this problem, I would appreciate any input!

Hi, everyone. I’m an actor preparing for a role as a homeless man who is taken advantage of by influencers. My character’s backstory is that he’s a wounded veteran, timid and kind-hearted, but struggling with PTSD and a stutter caused by the trauma he’s endured.

I want to ensure I portray this character with the utmost respect and avoid harmful stereotypes. If you feel comfortable sharing, I’d greatly appreciate hearing your stories, whether they’re personal experiences or insights from those you know. I’m committed to creating a genuine and nuanced character, and your input could help me achieve that.

Thank you in advance for your openness and trust.

At least I can die in a car 🙂‍↕️

Some of the shelter workers here are nice and some of them are rude to me. I'm at a family shelter with my 1 year old son.

When I get my chores done on time they complain about my baby crying. But when I wait until my baby is asleep to start my chores I get accused of not my doing my chores. I still get the chores done I just don't get them done at the right time.

They want us to wait until 7pm to start our chores but my baby is wide awake at that time. (They don't want us to do our chores too early or too late) I also use the kitchen to wash the bottles and clean the high chairs and clean the dishes and feed my baby but I'm told I take too much time for that too. The other day one of the workers said "Stop that fuss now!" To my baby when she saw me doing my chores.

But then today when she saw I waited until my baby was calmer to start my chores she told me "The rules apply to you too. We are all equal. I don't know why (shelter managers name) thinks you are so special."

When she said that I asked her if she wanted me to leave. And she said "I didn't say I wanted you to leave."

I don't hate rules. I hate that I'm struggling with multitasking and then being accused of not following the rules because of it. I feel like I lose either way. When I do my chores ON TIME I'm accused of not paying attention to my baby but when I wait until he is asleep to do my chores I'm accused of "Not following the rules." They have a play area in the living room of the shelter but they don't have a gate for it. When I let him play there he then ends up walking around the living room of the shelter and the workers don't like that either.

He also gets cranky if I put him in the playpen and he knows how to stand in the high chair and stroller when I tighten the straps on them. I know it's common for shelters to be strict but its even more hurtful when they also criticize my child. I can't win.

It's also giving me deja Vu about my ex/baby daddy. My ex is the reason I'm homeless and I was at a domestic violence shelter before I got to this shelter. One of the many things my ex did was complain to me if the house wasn't clean enough but then when he saw me cleaning he would ask me why the baby was crying while I was cleaning. And even after I cleaned he would just tell me whatever I forgot to clean. Example: if I cleaned the kitchen he would say tell me the bathrooms need to be cleaned instead of telling me thank you. And then after I cleaned both the bathrooms and the kitchen he would say "What about the base boards?" Something that he has never even told me to clean until after I cleaned everything else.

All of the other moms here have older kids. They seem to have an easier time multitasking because their kids are older. But mine is 14 months old.

(53, M, severe copd, on SSI) So it's looking like I might be heading back to the ranks of the unhoused by February, maybe sooner, maybe not at all. Previously spent a couple years in Denver pre-1990 and a little over a year in St. Louis around 2009-10. A lot of couch surfing in Denver and worked myself into a live-in custodian position in STL.

Unfortunately not so social these days so don't really know any open couches and I don't think my health will let me find something like the STL setup (I miss those old warehouses along the river 😢 good times all things considered)

So nothing too dramatic, just in what really feels like a failing relationship with someone who has grown sick of me and my health issues and trying to have a half a plan for me AND 2 of our 3 dogs.

Right now I'm envisioning a motorized trike with a bike trailer converted into a tiny camper for us to curl up in/ have a camp toilet handy BUT I'm wondering if that's just attracting too much attention and I'd be better with just the bike & a tent, or if there are some areas that would be less of a problem than others?

Also, for those familiar with this region, as far as drugs / alcohol go, is that just universal out here or again are there "hotspots" to avoid?

Like really my case manager couldn't give me suggestions yesterday of where to get food. I stayed up all night freezing and hungry last night. Maybe people should hear what we have to say about our situations.

The guy that posted about living in a tent.. I was shooting up for the best parts of about 6 years. I was at the point of low you couldn’t think possible. I’m here to tell you if you place your faith into the right places.. you’ll over come the impossible. Keep your heads up. You fucking got this shit.

I (29f) am feeling very stuck. I never wanted to label my relationship as abusive but trying to leave him is not working. My boyfriend is also my baby daddy (49m). We have been together 6 years and we have 3 kids, he has 7 altogether. They recently got taken from us and one of the barriers to me getting them back is social supports they wanna see me stay away from him but I can’t f***** leave him on account I have no where to go and no vehicle. Just a little context my kids (4,2,) got removed 2 years ago and we worked hard to get them back. We completed substance abuse treatment and got pregnant with my 3rd baby in that time so we got the other 2 back right after I gave birth to my 3rd . I got my part of the cps case closed and my bf/bd was 3 weeks away from it alllllll going away living together in my apartment as 1 family unit. That is until he failed a drop causing everything to spiral back out of control, however since my part of the case was still closed, so i was able to supervise and facilitate his visits until he just stopped answering or complying altogether he was supposed to go all the way back to supervised visits at the agency (again we wer living together so the supervised visits thing was super unreasonable at that point along with already hectic schedule ). I want it to be known he has never physically sexually mentally abused them in any way he simply failed drug tests. mind u I KNOW that itself is a problem and his sobriety was the topic of many arguments between us, but on the other hand, going from 0 to 3 kids so quickly was a lot to handle (my own fault I know) and accepted the help from their dad they have a strong bond with him. Now the children are removed once again because I let them around their dad and bc I’m homeless. We are staying in my bf friends garage, no vehicle, no job , constant feeling of impending doom. so unbelievably stuck . Everything spiraled so fast 😭 3 months ago, I my kids, a car, my apartment and a ft job. My schedule was sweet. It wasn’t perfect but we had eachother. But once I lost one of those things, everything else came crumbling down as well. I know in my heart my babies belong with me I’m a good mother and I thought so long as I kept my sobriety everything will be ok and it’s just not 😭 they took them anyway .the courts want to see me get away from my baby daddy, but he doesn’t wanna leave me. I tried running away from him into the arms of another guy however that was a huge mistake as now he is on my ass like white on rice I can’t even go to the bathroom with out him there. and with no transportation, no home to ban him from, no where to run away from him, too, all the shelters are full I call daily I’m so fucking stuck due to shortage at the agency our visits are scheduled the same days so it only makes sense we carpool like wtf …. Even tho it’s court ordered he refuses to go to treatment bc he thinks I will fuck other people . (He’s probly right but that’s besides the point it’s about the kids) I’m desperately searching for housing and a job and a vehicle I don’t know where to start and I can’t escape please advice is welcome I cry everyday and I don’t see a way out I miss my babies so damn much

Also sorry if this breaks any rules or not the right category or whatever im kinda a newbie

I'm trying to get into a shelter for the night and I get a voicemail and it's frustrating. What do I do

I’m in Portland. Ended up here after a bad relapse and have been remaining sober and trying to rebuild since. I’ve been really fucking trying.

I’m living in my car, but it needs a lot of work to be driven much at all again, my license has been suspended for sometime, I have no insurance, and my tags are well expired.

I just lost one of my incomes again, and after a doctors visit last week, found out I can’t continue doing the other. My plan was to save a few months of rent and get back into a sober housing situation, but that could take up to 6 months. I ended up here from Az and need to put what money I have towards staying alive through winter. With PPD cracking down on homelessness and expired tags, I’m not sure what budgeting to stay alive looks like anymore. I can’t afford to over prepare.

I’m also trans and look androgynous enough to have issues in both female and male shelters. But one interaction with the cops or one tow and I’m dead.

211 and other resources have told me they can’t help me. I don’t know what to do.

Hello ,

One thing I just can’t wait to have is my own private personal bathroom seriously don’t gotta worry about somebody rushing you or banging on the door nasty stalls seeing things you rather not see walking in. Majority of my life I’ve had to share bathrooms now the shelter I’m at every stall has an out of order notice sign on it also I don’t really feel comfortable using the showers here either for personal reasons but yeah just some final thoughts it’s been rough but just gotta keep pushing I hope everyone is doing well tryin to navigate this thing with no road map

I’m trying not to sound like a privileged white girl so I’m being careful with my words. I recently left a very abusive relationship with the clothes on my back and as I struggle financially I’m looking to help others. I’m also looking to teach my kids to help others.

How do you feel when people approach you with care packages? Is there a way that it feels most comfortable for you? Or would you like to not be approached at all? I’m afraid people will be “offended” that I offer to provide some sort of food items/socks/etc without them asking.

Thank you in advance for the education.

The worst thing to ever occur while being homeless is having to find out where the closest restroom is. Like why do you have to hold a #1 and #2 for so long. Idk if I’m the only one who is thinking this way or not.

The one person that was gunna help me get water said I was flagged as a scam. I’m out here dying 4 days in with no food or water and then I get turned away. This world is truly shit. This was my last hope of getting any kind of nutrition and hydration. But I guess I’m fake. Thanks for the help.

Or a live in job work for accommodation set up

Hello!

I want to start helping the local homeless people in my area. There is a small group of people that are usually outside the public library next to me. I was thinking of preparing some meals and handing it out to them once a week, maybe with some toiletries or other little things I would be able to afford that week. I know money is the best way to help out, but IDK, I'd rather give each person a meal instead of $1.

ANYWAY, my question to you current/former homeless friends out there: what meals would be best to give out to my local homeless neighbors? Ideally, I would like to make several healthy, delicious meals in bulk. I would feel guilty repeating ham and cheese sandwiches every week. I'd also want to ensure it is a meal that can be saved for later without refrigeration.

Thank you!

I don't know if this is the correct place to post this but I was given a tent when I thought I'd be without a roof over my head. I want someone who needs it to be able to use it.

new small tent (still in the box) for someone in Minneapolis. I will give it to someone who needs it. I don't have a car to deliver it but Im pretty much in the heart of Minneapolis...Loring Park. I'll give exact location privately for someone who needs it. If you can get here, you can have it.