Worried About Losing Your Home? There Is Help.
Learn about the resources available to you in the event of a housing or food crisis.
4 min readMost people never think they could become homeless, but it happens to people of all ages and backgrounds. Each day in America, hundreds of thousands are without housing. A report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimated that on a single night in 2023, around 653,100 Americans experienced homelessness.
The risk of going through a housing or food crisis is higher for those facing other challenges in life, such as financial issues, alcohol or substance use disorder Opens in a new window, health or mental health concerns Opens in a new window, or domestic violence Opens in a new window. If you or a loved one is experiencing these issues, help is available. One place you can get started is findhelp.org Opens in a new window.
If you’re concerned about possibly losing your home, learning about your options and preparing ahead of time can really help you and your family. There are resources available for support when an individual or family finds themselves without shelter or enough food.
Emergency resources
Public assistance
Public assistance means help from the government. This may be available to you, especially if you’ve received any notices that your utilities will be disconnected. Assistance programs vary from state to state, so it’s best to ask your local social services department for advice. Be aware that many programs can’t help unless you can prove that you’ve tried all other resources, such as applying for unemployment Opens in a new window or workers’ compensation benefits Opens in a new window.
Public Housing and Section 8 Housing may be within your means. It’s best to apply as soon as possible, as availability is limited and the waitlist can be long. Visit USA.Gov’s resources for housing help Opens in a new window.
If you contact public assistance and are told that no funding is available, it’s a good idea to ask these questions:
- When will public assistance help be available to me?
- When will I be eligible and what will I need to do?
- Can you direct me to any other programs or resources?
Shelter
Think about the options currently available to you. Can family or neighbors take you in? Find area shelters and ask about their availability or if there’s a waiting list. Something to consider is that shelters typically won’t store your furniture and personal items, so you may need to find a place to keep your things, such as a friend’s garage. Some resources you can use to look for shelters include:
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless assistance locator Opens in a new window
- ShelterListing.org Opens in a new window
- The Salvation Army Opens in a new window
- The Red Cross Opens in a new window
- Your local YMCA/YWCA Opens in a new window
- Domestic violence shelters Opens in a new window (National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233)
- Church charities
- Local or state homelessness prevention programs
Food
Searching for housing is often one’s main focus, but it’s important to make a plan for food and water as soon as possible, too. Stock up on nonperishable items – a.k.a. foods that last a while and won’t go bad, such as boxed pasta, canned vegetables and bottled water. Social services can also assist with food stamps if you’re eligible. Other no-cost food sources may include:
- Local food banks – Feeding America Opens in a new window
- Veterans’ associations Opens in a new window
- Rotary clubs Opens in a new window
- The Elks Clubs Opens in a new window
- Salvation Army Opens in a new window
- The American Red Cross Opens in a new window
- YWCA/YMCA Opens in a new window
TIP: Have an emergency pack and plan ready
Most shelters limit the number of bags you can bring, so try to pack only the things you need. You can ask someone you trust to keep your other things, and be sure to keep these items in a safe place. It’s important to remember to pack all your medications and your ID. It’s also a good idea to make plans for someone to watch your pet, as many shelters don’t allow animals.
TIP: Have your ID current and available.
If your driver's license has expired or is lost, reapply or get a state identification card. Most shelters and employers have strict ID rules — it will make things much easier if you have this information updated. If possible, arrange for a post office box to receive mail.
Moving forward
Experiencing homelessness is a difficult chapter in life. But don’t give up. If you are, or are about to become, homeless, there are programs available to help you and people ready to support you. It may feel uncomfortable, but ask for the help you need. Planning carefully may help you avoid homelessness or make your stay at a shelter a short one.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress Opens in a new window (PDF). December 15, 2023.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. State of Homelessness: 2023 Edition Opens in a new window. 2023.
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