Individuals without safe and stable shelter are prone to increased stress, health problems, and a poorer quality of life. This guide explores resources, myths, and other information related to transgender homelessness.
Looking for more resources? Check out our guides on healthcare, transgender rights, and gender-affirming care. If you need immediate support, visit our crisis section for homeless crisis resources.
Table of Contents
- Why the Transgender Community Faces a Higher Risk of Homelessness
- Beyond the Streets: Categorizing the Realities of Housing Instability
- Finding Immediate Relief: Emergency and Overnight Shelters
- Stabilizing for the Future: Rebuilding Your Foundation
- Transitional Housing and Long-Term Supportive Programs
- Decentralized Care: The Power of Tight-Knit Street Communities
- Accessing Food Banks, Hot Meals, and Free Clean Water
- Accessing Free Trans-Friendly Medical Care, Clinics, and Prescription Discounts
- Navigating Veteran Support Networks and Discharge Eligibility
- Domestic Violence Survival Resources and Protections
- Youth Homelessness Networks, Vouchers, and Runaway Safelines
- Comprehensive Index of Transgender Homelessness Mutual Aid and Programs
Why the Transgender Community Faces a Higher Risk of Homelessness
Homelessness can affect anyone, but marginalized individuals like transgender people are more likely to be without stable, safe, and functional housing. Homelessness is one of the most visible social problems in the world and exists in some capacity in every country. At the same time, homelessness is the most ignored crisis by the general public.
Did you know?
Homelessness is more than just individuals living on the street. Individuals living in cars, RVs, tents, couchsurfing, or otherwise without a permanent residence are all classified as homeless. However, unhoused stigma pushes many people to avoid identifying their circumstances as such.
Transgender people are more likely to experience homelessness due to many factors, such as family rejection, employment discrimination, and barriers to temporary shelters.
Family Rejection and the Reality of Coming Out
LGBTQIA+ individuals may be kicked out or disowned due to their identity, while others may intentionally run away to escape abuse and mistreatment. After a rough coming out experience, I was told by my own parents at 17 to find somewhere else to live if I was unwilling to continue trying to convert as cisgender. There was a brief period when I was unsure where I would live or what my future held.
This is unfortunately well-documented as part of queer history; many queer and transgender youth present during the Stonewall riots and queer liberation movement were homeless.
Housing Discrimination and Bureaucratic Roadblocks
Federal law prohibits anti-transgender discrimination in housing and employment, but it still occurs. The current presidential administration has weaponized bureaucracy to prevent transgender individuals from exercising their rights.
- Although the Department of Housing and Urban Development still interprets the Fair Housing Act as protective of transgender identity, the Trump-Vance administration has purposely paused all HUD investigations into transgender-related complaints.
- While the Bostock Supreme Court ruling determined transgender identity is a protected employment class, they’re still being hindered by the Trump-Vance Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
For transgender people to actually have housing and employment security, they must be able to file official reports so that government entities may investigate potential wrongdoing. By pausing the investigation process, there are effectively zero consequences to discriminating against transgender individuals.
When employers refuse to hire and promote transgender workers, they’re unable to pay rent or mortgage loans. Similarly, transphobic coworkers may use derogatory remarks and comments to push transgender employees to feel unsafe while working.
The Dangerous Gatekeeping of Emergency Shelters
Transgender people’s right to emergency and temporary shelter is complicated. Current HUD policy and the Fair Housing Act require all HUD-associated agencies to treat transgender clients equally to cisgender ones – although the Trump-Vance investigation pause means it is difficult to enforce these protections.
Transgender individuals are entitled to equal access to HUD homeless shelters, including domestic violence shelters. The Trump-Vance administration is actively considering barring transgender people from sex-segregated shelters, but this is still under review and does not apply to co-ed shelters.
Even when transgender people have a legal right to temporary shelter, they often avoid it because many temporary shelters are unsafe for transgender individuals. It’s estimated that one-quarter of homeless shelters are owned by religious organizations.
While many Christians support transgender people, just as many actively preach against us. Where I live, there are only five homeless shelters across 8,000 square rural miles. Only one of those shelters openly accepts LGBTQIA+ people.
Beyond the Streets: Categorizing the Realities of Housing Instability
Homelessness advocates specify four types of homelessness: transitional, episodic, chronic, and hidden.
Transitional Homelessness: Brief Crisis and Sudden Displacement
Most homelessness is transitional, defined as a brief state of homelessness due to a major life change or catastrophic event. This can be due to job loss, illness, divorce, domestic abuse, substance misuse, or a variety of other factors.
Transitional homelessness is further categorized as experiencing housing instability for under one year. These individuals often have jobs, but are sleeping in cars or couch surfing.
Statistically, young adults make up the majority of transitional homelessness. Young people are more likely to become homeless if they lose a job, become ill, or get kicked out because they lack resources.
Episodic Homelessness: The Cycle of Seasonal and Unstable Housing
Individuals who experience at least three periods of homelessness within the last year are classified as episodic. Episodic homelessness can progress into chronic homelessness if not given adequate resources and support.
Episodic homelessness is associated with disabilities, substance misuse, and mental health conditions that impact one’s ability to maintain stable housing. Individuals experiencing episodic homelessness may have minimum-wage or seasonal employment, but are unable to afford long-term shelter.
Chronic Homelessness: Long-Term Barriers and the “Quicksand” of the Street
Chronic homelessness occurs when an individual has been unsheltered for over one year. Chronically homeless individuals are more likely to have a disability, mental health condition, or addiction that restricts their ability to secure housing, frequently triggered by stressors associated with being unhoused.
Individuals with chronic homelessness are more likely to be older, unemployed, and temporarily living in unsafe places. In countries like the United States, the sidewalk is quicksand; anti-homeless hostility creates a culture where it is incredibly easy to become chronically homeless if you lose support systems.
There are genuinely people who target homeless individuals, and homeless individuals frequently lose contact with family members that distant themselves from homelessness.
Hidden Homelessness: Couchsurfing, Doubling Up, and Missing Data
Hidden homelessness refers to individuals who intentionally live with others but do not classify their shelter as permanent or stable. These individuals rarely access public resources, welfare, or charity, so they are hidden from traditional homelessness data.
Hidden homelessness targets younger people and undocumented individuals. Due to circumstances, they turn to friends, family, and neighbors for temporary shelter. Based on how long they have been unhoused, hidden homelessness can be further categorized as transitional, episodic, and chronic.
Language Matters: How to Respectfully Talk About Homelessness
When discussing homelessness, lots of terms come up – like houselessness and squatting. TLDR: It’s best to ask individuals what they prefer to be called.
Some people prefer terms like unhoused and houseless because of the heavy connotations with the word “homeless.” Unhoused people may not have shelter, but they are still people, even though most folks subconsciously reject unhoused people as equal peers. Terms like vagrant, hobo, and tramp are widely considered derogatory due to how they’ve been used to harm unhoused people.
On the other hand, every social justice circle has discourse. Just as many people dislike terms like unhoused and houseless because it comes across as virtue signaling. When active crises are happening, policing language can be frustrating.
Neither term is inherently wrong. One person may identify as homeless, while another prefers being called unhoused. Respect people based on where they’re coming from.
The Intersecting Root Causes of Housing Crises
There is no singular cause for homelessness, which makes it difficult to resolve. There is no cure-all solution to fix homelessness.
- Some individuals become homeless because the cost of living is incompatible with reality. Low wages and high living expenses make rent unaffordable.
- Mental illness and drug addiction amplify homelessness risk. These individuals require intensive support to stabilize, spiraling into homelessness without intervention.
- Unfair housing practices force families to relocate. Gentrification and touristification increase costs until individuals cannot afford to stay.
- Countries without welfare systems or mutual aid communities produce higher rates of homelessness. Public housing, minimum basic income, food assistance, and other programs ensure that individuals have their needs met.
Finding Immediate Relief: Emergency and Overnight Shelters
Overnight shelters are the best option for individuals seeking emergency shelter. These facilities provide immediate protection from weather exposure and often link individuals with social services. In many communities, overnight shelters become warming and cooling centers to prevent hypothermia and heat exhaustion.
Overnight shelters have the fewest restrictions for entry. Most emergency and overnight shelters only require basic identification and background checks. Although you are expected to be sober while staying, these shelters generally do not require negative drug tests.
However, these shelters are inherently temporary since individuals are only permitted to stay one night at a time. You may also be expected to share space with other visitors and have limited availability to store belongings. This means overnight shelters are not suitable for building financial stability, since one night isn’t long enough to become employed, find housing, and become secure.
Accessing Immediate Help: The 211 Information Network
In the United States and Canada, 211 (and United Way) is the national hotline to connect callers with free information regarding local social services and emergency overnight shelters.
How to Access Support Services Without a Cell Phone
Most social services, including 211, require telephone access with local network coverage. Although select regions offer 211 services through online chat and mobile apps, the majority rely on telephone operators. This can present a significant barrier for individuals struggling to access care.
Libraries commonly offer free telephone services to patrons. Additionally, library computer access provides individuals with the ability to research and print resources to take with them. Some businesses and community centers also provide telephone usage, but this varies based on managerial procedures and staff.
Internet-based apps like WhatsApp allow individuals to make calls and send texts while connected to free internet. Community spaces, grocery stores, coffee shops, and government buildings commonly provide free wifi. However, some social service providers block numbers associated with these apps.
Several programs exist to provide free or reduced phone coverage to low-income individuals. Common options include the Lifeline Assistance Program, Assurance Wireless, SafeLink Wireless, and Life Wireless.
Temporary Stability: Living Safely with Friends and Family
Some individuals prefer doubling up over emergency or overnight shelters. Doubling up is the act of temporarily living with friends and family rather than on the street.
Doubling up is more stationary than overnight shelters, but has similar challenges like overcrowding, increased stress, and lack of privacy. While individuals can stay multiple nights and become more stable by doubling up, one’s ability to double up is entirely dependent on friends and family members willing to share space.
Always establish clear agreements, boundaries, and expectations when doubling up. Living with loved ones can strain relationships when communication is not clear.
- Agree on a specific timeline, like one to three months.
- Communicate what you will pay, such as a portion of cash for rent, utility bills, or buying groceries.
- Write down chores and responsibilities. Establish labor expectations for tasks like cooking, cleaning, childcare, and yardwork.
- Identify space boundaries, such as private areas, quiet hours, guest rules, and shared electronics.
You should also research lease and occupancy limits. Violating these rules, even unintentionally, can put you and your host at risk of eviction.
Remember that doubling up is a temporary fix and not a permanent solution. Apply for Housing Choice Vouchers, Rapid Re-Housing, local case management, and save emergency funds.
Sleeping Rough and the Criminalization of Being Unsheltered
40% of homeless individuals live entirely unsheltered, which includes cars, subways, highway underpasses, and other places generally considered unsafe because of higher rates of crime, violence, and exposure to the weather. However, some people prefer being unsheltered because of the strict requirements enforced at homeless shelters.
You Should Know: Sleeping rough in urban areas is legally complicated and varies on local law. The Supreme Court decision in City of Grant Pass v. Johnson established that cities have the authority to arrest and imprison unhoused individuals for sleeping outside.
Stabilizing for the Future: Rebuilding Your Foundation
In order to become financially stable, people must have their basic needs met. It’s difficult to look to the future and apply for jobs when you’re hungry and not sure where you’ll sleep tonight. These resources help stabilize individuals once you’ve secured immediate shelter.
Transitional Housing and Long-Term Supportive Programs
Transitional shelters, also called interim shelters, allow unhoused individuals to stay up to 24 months and provide comprehensive social services. Transitional residents are connected with food resources, job assistance, and case management.
Continuum of Care interim agencies receive government funding to provide care to their communities. However, transitional shelters have more entry requirements, applications, and rules than overnight facilities. The best way to find transitional shelters is through 211.
Decentralized Care: The Power of Tight-Knit Street Communities
Mutual aid is a powerful thing. Never underestimate the strength of connecting with your community. Even in cities that are hostile to unhoused individuals, tight-knit homeless communities commonly share tips and resources local to the area.
If possible, organize. Shelters and other agencies that receive government funding are frequently stretched thin, which is why there is so much work left to be done by community collectives and radical organizers. Anarchists, democratic-socialists, and other leftist collectives often work the hardest to support unhoused individuals.
Accessing Food Banks, Hot Meals, and Free Clean Water
Soup kitchens provide a large variety of free meals to their communities – housed or unhoused. Despite the name, these facilities serve more than just soup. Similarly, local restaurants and businesses are more likely to donate extra meals to nearby shelters.
Food banks provide individuals with food to store and eat later. The USDA National Hunger Hotline is available Monday through Friday to provide callers with free information about emergency food options, government programs, and social services in their area. The USDA National Hunger Hotline can be reached at 1-866-348-6479, or via automated text at 914-342-7744.
Feeding America is a national network of food banks, pantries, and similar programs. Their website connects users to local resources based on zip code. Since Feeding America works by website, cell phone service is not required – unlike 211 or the National Hunger Hotline.
Public schools and childcare centers are required to offer free and reduced meal options to eligible students:
- The National School Lunch Program, National School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program provide meals throughout the academic year.
- Summer Food Service Programs (SFSPs) and SUN Meals provide food to eligible youth when school is not in session. The US Department of Agriculture maintains an online directory of youth meal programs.
- Some school districts operate Breakfast After the Bell, which provides students with free meals during their first-period class.
- The National School Lunch Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program provide after-school snacks and meals to eligible students to take home.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) is a federal program that provides income for food at participating supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and retailers. SNAP eligibility varies drastically by state, so it’s important to contact a local department of human services for additional information.
The USDA maintains a national directory of farmers’ markets to connect local retailers with their communities. Listed markets overwhelmingly accept government funds from programs like SNAP and WIC.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides meals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to new mothers and young children. Each state has individualized rules on eligibility based on the Federal Poverty Limit.
Some cities mobilize hydration units to expand access to clean drinking water. Most community centers, nonprofit organizations, and libraries have clean water. Only drink unfiltered water at parks and other public spaces if you know it does not contain pollutants.
There are no government programs to coordinate clothes in low-income communities, but most charities and nonprofit organizations maintain individual programs to provide essentials. These frequently include clothes, blankets, pads and tampons, condoms, toiletries, and other items to promote well-being.
Accessing Free Trans-Friendly Medical Care, Clinics, and Prescription Discounts
Health emergencies don’t cease when you’re homeless. There are several options for low-income and unhoused individuals to receive healthcare.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide medical treatment on a sliding scale, regardless of ability to pay. FQHCs frequently host community events to provide public check-ups, immunizations, and screenings. FQHCs must also provide free non-emergency medical transportation to eligible patients to help them get to appointments. Visit the Department of Health and Human Services for the full FQHC directory.
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics is a directory of over 1,400 facilities that offer free primary and preventative services. NAFCC facilities can be used by anyone, regardless of income status, and similar programs exist for dental and vision care.
Free and Charitable Pharmacies is another directory managed by NAFCC to connect individuals with free and charitable prescription medication. And although it doesn’t provide medication for free, GoodRx gives users massive prescription discounts at major retailers like Walmart, Costco, CVS, and Kroger.
Navigating Veteran Support Networks and Discharge Eligibility
Veterans make up a significant portion of America’s homeless population. Although the United States spends over half of its annual budget on the military, these funds do not go towards veterans. Due to the nature of the Military-Industrial Complex, veterans are particularly vulnerable to financial instability, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
The following tools are available to all veterans who hold honorable discharge status. Veterans with dishonorable discharge are ineligible for VA services, but they may still use non-veteran public programs.
- The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans connects unhoused and at-risk veterans with housing options, employment opportunities, healthcare, and other social services. The Call Center can be reached at 877-424-3838 or through the Homeless Veterans Chat.
- HUD-VASH collaborates with the Department of Housing and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide vouchers for rental assistance. HUD-VASH vouchers can be used to offset housing costs at privately owned homes.
- Low-income veterans can use Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), even if they’re not eligible for HUD-VASH vouchers.
- The Homeless Providers’ Grand and Per Diem Program funds transitional housing and services for veterans. Affiliated programs allow veterans to stay up to 24 months while connected with case management and transition to permanent housing options.
- The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans Program provides residential care for veterans with eligible illnesses, challenges, and rehabilitative needs. Since the DCHV Program is integrated with the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Programs, it focuses on helping veterans experiencing mental illness, substance abuse, or homelessness.
- Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services connects veterans with employment opportunities and vocational training with local employers.
- The Compensated Work Therapy Program allows veterans to complete short-term transitional work while preparing for competitive employment or the HVCES.
- The HCHV Program, HPACT, and HVDP provide free healthcare, dental care, and case management to homeless veterans.
- The American Legion maintains programs for over 1.6 million individuals and can further assist veterans in local communities. Although the American Legion is not managed by the government, only honorably discharged veterans are eligible for services.
- The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans provides additional resources and tools to all veterans, regardless of discharge status.
Directory of Essential Veteran Hotlines and Support Services
| Agency | Website | Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| Red Cross Military and Veteran Services | redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans | 877-272-7337 |
| DAV | dav.org | 877-426-2838 |
| Department of Defense Safe Helpline | safehelpline.org | 877-995-5247 |
| Military OneSource | https://www.militaryonesource.mil | 800-342-9647 |
| National Call Center for Homeless Veterans | va.gov/homeless/nationalcallcenter | 877-424-3838 |
| National Veterans Legal Services Program | nvlsp.org | 202-265-8305 |
| USA Cares | usacares.org | 800-773-0387 |
| VA Benefits Hotline | www.va.gov | 800-827-1000 |
| VA Caregiver Support Line | caregiver.va.gov | 855-260-3274 |
| Vet Centers | vetcenter.va.gov | 877-927-8387 |
| Veterans Crisis Line | www.veteranscrisisline.net | 988+1 |
Domestic Violence Survival Resources and Protections
Over one third of domestic violence victims will experience homelessness, and nearly all homeless women have experienced severe abuse at some point. Survivors frequently have finances and housing options restricted by abusive partners, making them vulnerable to homelessness.
The following resources can be used by all individuals. The Violence Against Women Act prohibits all funded agencies from discriminating against gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, race, national origin, religion, or disability.
The Trump-Vance administration is currently attacking transgender survivors’ access to domestic violence services. FR-6518-P-01 seeks to require VAWA agencies to verify clients’ biological sex and deny transgender applicants from sex-segregated shelters.
FR-6518-P-01 is currently NOT in effect, although its rule changes have been proposed. If enforced, FR-6518-P-01 will not affect transgender people’s access to co-ed shelters.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates a 24/7 telephone line, text service, and online chat to connect survivors and allies with assistance. The Hotline is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain a directory of local providers.
The Salvation Army has a complicated history with LGBTQIA+ people, but they have a long-standing reputation for helping survivors acquire shelter. Salvation Army programs provide rent and utility assistance, food, counseling, and housing. Salvation Army has publicly stated they support and serve transgender individuals since 2017.
The Safe Housing Partnerships Technical Assistance Consortium provides additional education, tools, and training to survivor advocates.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence manages WomensLaw, which contains free legal information related to abuse.
Emergency Contacts for Domestic Abuse, Assault, and Trafficking
| Agency | Website | Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| API Chaya | apichaya.org | 877-922-4292 |
| love is respect | loveisrespect.org | 866-331-9474 |
| National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs | avp.org | Not Available |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | thehotline.org | 800-799-7233 |
| National Human Trafficking Hotline | humantraffickinghotline.org | 888-373-7888 |
| National Street Harassment Hotline | stopstreetharassment.org | 855-897-5910 |
| RAINN | rainn.org | 800-656-4673 |
| StrongHearts | strongheartshelpline.org | 844-762-8483 |
| The Deaf Hotline | thedeafhotline.org | 855-812-1001 |
| The Network | tnlr.org | 800-832-1901 |
Youth Homelessness Networks, Vouchers, and Runaway Safelines
Youth represent a large portion of the homeless population, although many of them are classified as hidden because they are the least likely to use social services. Many of these young adults are LGBTQIA+, aged out of the foster system, or otherwise kicked out of their family homes without support.
Covenant House provides shelter for unhoused young people between the ages of 18 and 24. Covenant House operates homeless shelters in most major cities and is the largest charity to support homeless youth and survivors of trafficking across North and Central America.
Boys Town is one of the largest residential care programs and offers family-style homes to at-risk youth. Boys Town also offers crisis services, foster care, hospital treatment, and behavioral health.
Safe Place gives free and confidential assistance to youth in need of immediate help. Safe Place primarily assists youth under the age of 18 (or up to 21 in specific regions) and connects them to tools.
Many YMCAs and YWCAs manage homeless shelters to serve youth in their communities, especially in major cities.
The National Runaway Safeline operates a call center and communications system for runaway and homeless youth to access 24/7 information by telephone, text, online chat, and forum. The Home Free Program collaborates with Greyhound Lines to transport youth to homes and shelters.
True Colors United is a national advocacy agency centered around LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC unhoused youth. TCU has several toolkits to empower people to take action in their communities.
The Street Outreach Program supports unhoused and runaway youth with stable housing and social services to prevent potential exploitation.
The Foster Youth to Independence Initiative provides housing vouchers to former foster youth between the ages of 18 to 24. The vouchers are delegated to local child welfare agencies to provide youth with financial assistance.
Other federal youth homeless programs can be found at youth.gov, which contains a current directory of services funded by the federal government.
Youth Crisis Hotlines, Support Networks, and Confidential Talklines
| Agency | Website | Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of America | bbbs.org | 813-720-8778 |
| Boys Town | boystown.org | 800-448-3000 |
| Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline | childhelphotline.org | 800-442-4453 |
| Crisis Text Line | crisistextline.org | 741-741 |
| LGBT National Youth Talkline | lgbthotline.org | 800-246-7743 |
| love is respect | loveisrespect.org | 866-331-9474 |
| National Center for Missing and Exploited Children | missingkids.org | 800-843-5678 |
| National Runaway Safeline | 1800runaway.org | 800-786-2929 |
| Partnership to End Addiction | drugfree.org | 55753 |
| Polaris | polarisproject.org | 888-373-7888 |
| Stop It Now! | stopitnow.org | 888-773-8368 |
| Teen Line | didihirsch.org/teenline | 866-714-0090 |
| The Trevor Project | thetrevorproject.org | 866-488-7386 |
| YouthLine | theyouthline.org | 877-968-8491 |
Comprehensive Index of Transgender Homelessness Mutual Aid and Programs
Alliance for Period Supplies hosts a network directory of organizations throughout the United States that provide free period products like pads and tampons.
American Job Centers is a service sponsored by the US Department of Labor to provide free assistance to job seekers looking for employment or training.
American Sexual Health Association operates Yes Means Test, a free tool that allows users to find free and confidential STD testing throughout the country based on their zip code and CDC information.
Ample Harvest maintains a national database of farmers and community gardens that donate their surplus food to those in need, similar to food pantries and banks.
Benefit Finder gives customized information on various government benefits and welfare programs to individuals in need, simplifying the process of researching programs.
Civil Rights Corps is a nonprofit organization that gives case litigation and policy information related to low-income and homeless individuals, who often don’t have the resources to find alternative options.
Community Action Partnership is a membership organization for agencies and groups that use federal funding to support individuals in need. Their map directory connects users with local organizations in their communities.
Continuum of Care (CoC) are programs supported by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve communities throughout the country and end homelessness. CoC funding can be used for homelessness prevention, supportive services, transitional housing, and permanent housing.
Dress for Success is an international organization that connects women with free clothing and tools to become financially stable through employment.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) are state and local programs that can be located via 211 to help people at risk of becoming imminently homeless.
Eviction Lab is a research institution that tracks evictions throughout the United States to give individuals and their communities the tools necessary to confront unfair renting and housing practices.
Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) funds state and local agencies to administer fair housing laws as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and requires cities to ensure fair housing regulations.
Food Not Bombs is a network of autonomous chapters that share free vegetarian food with those in need through grassroots activism in support of ending war and poverty around the world. Their directory map links users with chapters in their communities.
Habitat for Humanity provides safe and affordable homes to low and moderate-income individuals based on their eligibility requirements, which require users to attend training and seminars, volunteer, or physically help during the building process of their future home.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Resources is a federal agency through the United States government to administer national housing and development laws. HUD operates dozens of programs to improve local communities, and their offices can be located through their virtual map.
Job Corps is the US’s largest free residential career training and education program for low-income individuals between the ages of 18 to 24, maintained by the US Department of Labor.
Justia is a free collection of legal guides that explains laws, legal services, and policies around the world in everyday terms.
LawHelp is a program of Pro Bono Network to bring the power of law to everyone regardless of education or class. In addition to explaining the law in everyday terms, LawHelp and Pro Bono Net also provide legal assistance to immigrants via Immi and direct users to free legal documents as needed through LawHelp Interactive.
Legal Services Corporation acts as the largest funder for civil legal aid for low-income Americans. As a publicly funded nonprofit established by Congress, LSC provides funding for civil cases like loan repayment, personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, and class action lawsuits to individuals traditionally unable to sue on their own.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide federal funding assistance to households regarding energy and utility costs.
Meals on Wheels is a national nonprofit organization that coordinates communities to deliver meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals.
Modest Needs provides short-term financial assistance to households in temporary crisis considered ineligible for other social services due to living just above the poverty level.;
Money Management International is a free resource for financial education, providing easy-to-understand information and counseling on debt relief, housing services, and budgeting.
Naloxone for All is a network of affiliated programs throughout the United States that provide free naloxone as a means to avoid opioid overdose and harm reduction in affected communities. Their directory map connects users with mail programs in their state.
National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan organization that works with federal and local agencies to create an online hub of homeless-related resources and policies to support unhoused individuals and their communities.
National Center for Homeless Education is operated by the US Department of Education to give training and information to organizations throughout the nation that interact with homeless populations.
National Coalition for the Homeless is a national network of groups centered on ending and preventing homelessness that also has a strong focus on serving the immediate needs of unhoused people. Their resources help imminently and currently homeless individuals connect with programs in their area.
National Employment Law Project is an advocacy organization that works with policymakers to improve the lives of workers across the country.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling connects individuals with certified credit counselors for free to improve their money management, debt payment plans, and credit scores.
National Homelessness Law Center uses the law and litigation to ensure unhoused individuals in the United States are treated humanely and are aware of their legal rights.
National Housing Law Project advances housing justice in low-income communities by fighting for the legal rights of tenants and low-income homeowners. NHLP’s resource center directs users to federal programs and laws like tax credits, rental assistance, vouchers, and public housing.
National Network for Youth is a youth-centered homeless agency that works in communities with young people at risk of becoming unhoused through service providers and welfare organizations in the United States.
National Skills Coalition hosts a number of networks to connect job seekers with the training necessary to fill skilled jobs like healthcare, software, plumbing, and manufacturing.
Operation HOPE uplifts communities through their programs to improve money management and create financial freedom.
Planned Parenthood is the largest reproductive health services provider in the United States. Although not an FQHC, Planned Parenthood has several safety nets in place to see patients regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to screenings, gender-affirming care, and abortion services, Planned Parenthood also provides free condoms, emergency contraception, and sexual education – including trained counselors available via online chat.
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is operated by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fund programs for unhoused individuals with mental illnesses, which includes housing, healthcare, job training, education, mental health counseling, and outreach in all US states and territories.
Propel App connects individuals using United States welfare programs like EBT and SNAP with additional tools, discounts, and benefits via their free mobile app partnered with the White House and other federal organizations.
Reddit is a social media platform that operates through thousands of forums (referred to as subreddits) for users to find related communities and discussions. Relevant health subreddits include: r/homeless, r/almosthomeless, r/vagabond, r/vandwellers, r/Survival, r/urbancarliving, r/StealthCamping, r/transitions, r/povertyfinance, r/Assistance, r/jobs.
Second Chance Employment refers to employers who will hire and provide career advancement to people with criminal records, who are traditionally denied jobs and therefore at an increased risk of homelessness.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA program to provide low-income seniors with locally grown produce similar to SNAP and WIC programs at farmer markets.
ShelterApp is a mobile app available for Android and Apple devices – although it can also be accessed through non-mobile devices through its web function. The app displays shelters and resources for homeless youth across the entire United States (as well as other services for individuals in Colorado).
SkillUp America is a US nonprofit that helps individuals find high-opportunity employment through job training and career advice, regardless of their current education level.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly income to individuals with disabilities who have little other financial resources. SSI is different from SSDI (commonly referred to as “disability”), which requires a minimum recent work history but has no income requirements whereas SSI has no work history requirements but has income limitations.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TNAF) is a federally funded and state-operated program that provides economic stability and security to low-income households that meet their eligibility requirements.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) refers to the number of programs handled by the US Department of Labor and state agencies to provide benefits to eligible workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own while securing alternative employment.
United Way operates 211 to mobilize communities to serve those most vulnerable – in the event phone contact is not possible, United Way allows users to locate their local United Way agency through their website.
Volunteers of America is the largest comprehensive human services organization in the United States and uses their affiliate chapters to provide mental health, family services, food, clothing, affordable housing, and emergency shelter to individuals in need.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) gives funding and resources to low-income households to become more energy-efficient and lower energy costs via tax credits and rebates.