I grew up living between Salvation Army homeless shelters and sleeping in bus stations. I was abused and I am still haunted. My mom made over $2k/mo in the 90s with social security for me and my brother, traded all at half price for crack and alcohol. I’m now an adult, and still have PTSD from when we got a sec8 home and mom filled it with hobos who hurt me. Not all homeless people are abusers, ok, I met a 1000 who didn’t hurt me. But my mom and others are not homeless from circumstances, their evil keeps them from just getting an apartment and doing the minimum. Evil AF. Fuck you homeless piece of shit.

I've noticed most shelters discourage work through curfews and a lack of accommodating overnight workers. There's also those who prohibit you from working all together. I was banned from a shelter because I went to an interview. I was told by a shelter that I should stop working because their "program prohibits employment" The system is so broken, it's not geared towards ambitious people at all.

Has anyone else noticed this?

My sister who's in a manic episode is out of control and I don't feel safe in her home anymore. She actually hijacked my food stamps, and will not give me my card back. So even if I do leave I'm not going to have any money for food. It's freezing out it's dark out, and all the shelters are past there admission time for the day. I have no idea what to do.

To anybody who was homeless and now have housing, how ? I been homeless for about 5 months and it seems impossible for me to get out of this hole. Any advice you can give or hope for people like me ? Programs aren’t helping. Moneys hard. Jobs aren’t hiring. It’s hard. Everything seems impossible. I would love to hear people’s story.

I believe me and my mom might end up on the street next year 2025. I just need to know what are some things we might need. Like materials and stuff.

So, last night my girlfriend and I got written up for being out past curfew (which is 6:30). We went up to the Cinemark in Cuyahoga Falls to see Sonic 3 and got the bus schedules mixed up and ended up on the bus headed to a transit center in the south end of Cleveland. On the way back, I made several attempts to notify our shelter we would be late. It took a total of 10 calls, five being hung up on, three getting redirected to the main office and one being disconnected on their end. When I finally called, the staff member had no idea who we were, what our beds were (there are several charts in the office with bed and dorm numbers, with one taped to the computer) and had generally no idea how to address us being back late. It took twenty minutes before she said she'd call back to confirm what I told her.

Curfew violations result in an immediate urinalysis and Breathalyzer test. Neither of us were tested when we got back. Not only that, the supervisor couldn't even get our names right. So, around ten last night as I was finishing up getting ready for bed, she tells us she needs to administer a drug test and Breathalyzer, both of which were to have been done on the spot when we arrived. Since it's past time, both are regarded as passed per policy. She's been at this shelter for years and should know that. She says she's going downstairs to get the Breathalyzer and said she'd call.

Over the course of five minutes she calls for random people whose names sound similar to mine, and even just random people in general.

"Chill-Rake-8215"

"Willed-Cake-7417"

"Failed-Beak-5314"

"SexyGrandma69"

"skibiditoilet666"

So this morning right after wake up I finally take my drug test. And the morning supervisor proceeds to drop my sample on the floor. Again, any sort of staff tampering (which includes any sort of accidental tampering, such as spilling or dropping) makes the test an automatic negative. But, she waits an hour to call, and has me administer another. Not only that, she didn't get my name, she put my girlfriend's name on the cup. And she didn't even put it in the fridge after collecting it and it went bad. So, this makes the second test I've passed by default. But no, third time's the charm, huh? She finally got it the name right, refrigerated it, only to tell me she didn't put the test strips in it and tries laughing it off as "she's having a rough morning". She also asked me twice to remind her what bed and room I'm in.

Then comes the Breathalyzer. The machine itself is broken because another staff member dropped it. It clearly doesn't work and she doesn't know why. She says she'll administer another Breathalyzer another day. I remind her if I had been drinking, there'd be no point because I'd have no alcohol in my system. She offers to make me take drug test number 4, but she spent five sample cups between me and my girlfriend and there's no more left. She made a note of it to the case manager in charge to have me re-take my test and take a Breathalyzer when she returns after New Year's.

And now our friend is telling us we might get kicked due to the staff's complete idiocy per shelter policy. I'm just waiting to see how the Summit County homeless hotline is gonna take this should it come to that.

So shortly before Christmas I was told there’s something wrong with my transaxle? And that it’s not fixable which has left me without a way to get back and forth to work. The heat still works and it still turns on but can’t drive so I’ve been sleeping in here but I’ve been taken off the schedule until further notice, I missed two days due to the car issues and I’m on the verge of being terminated. I feel like Im back at square one and a friend of mine thinks that since everything is failing and there’s no help where I currently am I should just go somewhere else. I don’t know anywhere else though, I don’t know if I’ll be able to get any help or how I’d get around the new area, and I don’t know anymore if I’m wasting my time trying to make things work here because it’s close to my child. Truthfully I’m also terrified, when I was homeless as a kid I had my family, now I’m doing everything alone and I’m scared to be alone in an unfamiliar place with no help. I don’t know what I should do anymore. To clarify the only thing I’m asking for is advice because I don’t know if I should leave this area.

I want to know what your experience has been and what you've learned as a means of survival?

One thing that I've learned is that dogs are an amazing resource.

People don't care about other people. BUT people LOVE dogs. No one will let your dog starve and if they give you money, you won't either!

I had my dog out with me in public and people would talk to him or ask me about him or I'd show them tricks.

If your dog knows tricks, you can use it for busking as well.

(Dogs are motivated by food and a little bit of kibble goes a long way in training a dog)

A dog is also very handy during the winter months. Crawl under a blanket with a dog and you've got your own organic heater!

Feel unsafe? Dogs are the perfect security device. I got mine from the shelter and he's been a godsend.

I got my Wally boy for free because someone had already paid his fees. He's the one thing in this world that I can fully rely on.

So yeah, if you are able, I highly recommend getting a dog and learning to train it.

Or a cat.

🤷

People like animals.

https://apnews.com/article/homelessness-population-count-2024-hud-migrants-2e0e2b4503b754612a1d0b3b73abf75f

My body is so sore all the time I'm either working sleeping on a bench or on the train I sleep sitting or in a ball I think everything has tightened because I have been sleeping stretched out and have no wear to stretch. But working with this much pain is so hard. I feel like I'm never going to get out of this.

Hi so I’ve been couch hoping / staying at friends in cali im not originally from here. I’ve been trying to look for work but can’t find nothing.

I guess her and her mom got into an argument while I was in the room and the mom had said how I don’t think ur friend wants to work which isn’t true I’ve gone to apply but don’t get anything back etc. I’ve even gone walking 4 hours away to look for work. I understand they have their own bills problems etc. I barley eat they food so they could have enough I mean it’s like 14 people in house.

I even told my friend before if it was a problem I could go to my state and go shelter. If me being here was too much.

As for that after her and her mom argued my friend said she’s going to move soon bc she dosent want to keep arguing with her mom.

That’s fine but what kind of bag or duffel bag should I get to fit my things im thinking of thanking them and taking a greyhound back to my state so I could try a shelter or what no I don’t have much and already got rid of some what what I can’t carry I’m 4”11 so what kind of bag should I get ? Or duffle bag.

Also what kind of questions should I ask the shelter that I’m trying to go to ?

Today I walked about 10 miles looking for work. I had 2 job interviews, but as soon as they saw me they suddenly had no work availability. I'm clean and have clean clothes. I walked so far and only wanted any job. After this let down I decided to look for now hiring signs to walk inside. Most suddenly had no openings, even though there was a hand written sign. I did manage to walk in a grocery store and I spoke to a manager. She took down my information, she did say there's no openings but will call me as soon as anyone quits. It's not exactly a win but I'm hoping for the best. My feet hurt and I'm just glad to finally sit. I don't have a job so I can't afford the bus. Tomorrow I will try more job hunting Please wish me luck Please refrain from insults or genius hateful remarks, I'm trying my best Thx

Edit: don't need advice. Not looking for it. Only sharing. If you're not homeless pls don't comment

Hello, I'm 20F soon to be freshly homeless at some point, I live in South Florida. Where I am there isn't any immediate help for youth unless I travel away from my city, and I can't because I have two jobs, and I start school in January. I decided even though I'm not going to have help, I'm going to stay and do what I have to do. My mother is kicking me out because she's decided she isn't "obligated" to take care of a 20 y.o. (My older brother (M22) is a very difficult person and he pretty much drove her over the edge, so he's now jeapordized my living space, and she's moving in with her boyfriend.) I also take care of myself, I never asked for anything unless I really needed it, and never pushed if she said no. I also told her to tell me if she needs things but she has to remind me, (I have ADHD), but she said she isn't, "obligated to do that". If your first thought is, this sounds like someone who just never wanted kids, you're right, she tried to give me away when I was born, but my family found out and stopped her. Which I really wish they didn't.

Anyways, any advice for staying safe? I said I'd just move around, try to get a car but I need to learn to drive first. Stay somewhere that's open 24hrs at night so yk, I don't get killed or trafficked, and sleep there or just during the day if they'll allow me since most likely I'll be doing my schoolwork and getting breakfast so their time won't be wasted until I'm on the road again.

My last option is my grandma but, that's a risk to even ask, my aunts already stay with her with their kids, and she seems annoyed with even that. And even though I understand, I think the answer would still sting.

I do know I plan on blocking my mother, brother and her boyfriend before leaving because I don't need that energy.

I'm going to keep working my two jobs to ensure I have cash, and I'm going to do my two years at school and transfer to university where I'll have a dorm.

Any advice would be nice 👌 tysm.

I’m currently in a hotel rn but in two days I’ll Be down to zero dollars and won’t be able to afford it.

I’m 21 and got kicked out my parents house but I still have a job just nowhere to stay. It’s winter and I can’t stay outside I just need a place to sleep.

I’m scared to go to a shelter because I heard of people fighting getting stabbed and their stuff stolen

A couple days ago, a couple of homeless men set up a camp walking distance from my home. What should I do to help them? Or should I not do anything, and just smile and make eye contact when I walk by, and let them say anything they want to?

I usually do the regular canned vegetables, tuna, noodle cups, spam, hot sauce etc. Is there anything in particular that really makes your day when it is there? I'm wanting to give what I can. I am lucky I work a well enough paying job to have extra money for a handful of items every month.

I'm thinking a southeast us state.

Would Arkansas or Louisiana be good?

So I was booted out my home I been couch jumping for a lil over 4 months.

I had a friend who said I could stay with her and her family ( only problem was she was a state away. )

She came got me im here now have yet to find a job and her mother keeps bringing up me not being able to find job. I mean this is cali employment is tight. I’ve gone to every store nothing. I get told apply online I had 1 interview just to not get a call back.

I’ve expanded outside the area but nothing still I went to an agency the first month I got here the ladies didn’t seem to want to actually help. I haven’t gotten a call from said agency.

Each time im in the room she ask if I found a job yet. Y’all idk how much longer I have to stay here. But what more can I do?

I’ve tried telling my friend I can go to a shelter but she was like no we can find something here. However im genuinely the one looking for work. Like we barley talk as friends it’s she goes to work or out with her friends. I told her if it was to much for me be here I could go shelter. Idk what to do

As the title suggest I need tips for living in a car, I’m a 25f and I lost my job a few weeks ago and have had no luck getting a new job lately because of my criminal record, I was released 8 months ago and everything was going alright until I lost my job then on December 7th I got into a car accident and my car was totaled. So I’ve been renting a car and doing DoorDash from a friends account to earn money for the rental car and for gas and food and for rent, but my landlord is evicting me because he found someone else who is willing to pay more than I am for the room I rent. He gave me a 3 day notice and said he doesn’t owe me an eviction notice or 30 days because we have no lease. He also told me if I don’t leave by tomorrow that he’ll call the cops and charge me for trespassing knowing that I have a record and that I’m on probation it won’t end well for me. So I’m currently packing my things and I don’t know what to do or where to go. I applied for public housing and low income based apartments in my area but the waiting lists are long and they told me it can take anywhere between 6 months to a year to hear from PHA or the low income apartments. I don’t know what to do or how to live in a car. Any tips would help… where I could shower, where to sleep, etc… I don’t have any family or friends I could stay with so that’s out of the question.

Hey everyone I’ve posted a couple times here but just wanted to say God is good & don’t ever give up! I was gifted a room for $305 and it’s legit with a contract & everything !

It’s ran by a Christian man & he’s been a great soul thus far, I’ve been struggling with off and on homelessness since 17 & I’m about to be 25 now

I was so afraid of spending my 25th birthday homeless & now I have what I’ve been praying for for so long! Keep faith in yourself !!

Hi ,

Last post I did see somebody else mention this earlier but man is this true I cannot focus on anything else but trying to get out of this hole . I’m working overtime Monday - Sunday 12am-12am non stop it also feels like having a baby you carrying around with you sometimes it feels like multiple babies with me that I’m nursing 😭. This is crazy I ain neva seen nun like this before 🤣 like what really is this !? What in the world

To break it down some more:

Which option is easier for you to do on your period?

1. Access and buy conventional menstrual products

OR

1. Use things like tissue/napkins/paper products, socks, and rags to make your own menstrual products?

Lost my job and place to stay. Ended up homeless for what seems like the millionth and 1/2 time. Ready to start over somewhere. Get a new job and save for a room. Looking for resources in Nashville. I have nothing but a lot of hope that I can make it out of this and make next year the best one yet..