What to do if you suddenly find yourself homeless
FOOD
Find your nearest food bank or mission, for food
grocery stores with free samples, bakeries + stores with day-old bread
different fast food outlets have cheaper food and will generally let you hang out for a while.
some dollar stores carry food like cans of beans or fruit
SHELTER
Sleeping at beaches during the day is a good way to avoid suspicion and harassment
sleep with your bag strapped to you, so someone can’t steal it
Some churches offer short term residence
Find your nearest homeless shelter
Look for places that are open to the public
A large dumpster near a wall can often be moved so that flipping up the lids creates an angled shelter to stay dry
HYGIENE
A membership to the YMCA is usually only 10$, which has a shower, and sometimes laundry machines and lockers.
Public libraries have bathrooms you can use
Dollar stores carry low-end soaps and deodorant etc.
Wet wipes are all purpose and a life saver
Local beaches, go for a quick swim
Some truck stops have showers you can pay for
Staying clean is the best way to prevent disease, and potentially get a job to get back on your feet
Pack 7 pairs of socks/undies, 2 outfits, and one hooded rain jacket
OTHER
first aid kit
sunscreen
a travel alarm clock or watch
mylar emergency blanket
a backpack is a must
downgrade your cellphone to a pay as you go with top-up cards
sleeping bag
travel kit of toothbrush, hair brush/comb, mirror
swiss army knife
can opener
Reblog to literally save a life
Having been homeless, I will contribute:
The FOOD section is right on, though I would add hitting up churches as well. You may not get a meal at the church itself (though you might), but in my experience you will find a kind soul. The SHELTER section: I never thought about that that dumpster trick. Nice. Also, I was homeless far away from any ocean or serious crime. I was the PRIVILEGED homeless. Haha. (When is Tumblr going to get sick of that word?)–A word about homeless shelters: they have rules, like you have to blow zero on a breathalyzer before they let you in. No smoking or tobacco use in or around or anywhere near. No cellphone use. Often, they make you shower and wash your clothes. If you are a woman with kids, though, they will make exceptions. HYGIENE: a membership to the YMCA is only $10??? It was like $55, and that was, like, in 90s money. Early 90s. I don’t know what YMCA you’re talking about. The Village People, though, insist that it’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A! I agree with everything else in this section, especially the truckstop thing. Ten cents a shower. Maybe fifty cents by now. OTHER: If you’re homeless, you’re not going to have a first aid kit. Get real. Or sunscreen. Or mylar. Homelessness, despite its similarities, is not camping. The other things a homeless person might think about and be able to get, except for maybe the Swiss army knife. You’d have to find one or already have one.
Good advice overall, but written by someone who cares about the homeless rather than having actually been homeless. Also written by someone who has been nowhere near a YMCA, at least in the Midwest.
