Shelter is a necessary human right that influences physical and emotional well-being. Individuals without safe and stable environments are prone to increased stress, health problems, and poorer quality of life.
What is Homelessness?
Individuals without stable, safe, and functional housing are considered homeless. It’s one of the most visible social problems – it exists in some capacity in every single country throughout the world, but it’s one of the most common crises that the general public ignores. These are people who live outside, in cars and RVs, tents, or otherwise have no permanent place of residence.
When talking about homelessness, related terms like houselessness and the state of being unhoused come up. Unhoused and houseless are terms that activists have begun using in recent years to reestablish the humanity that unhoused people have since most people subconsciously reject houseless people as their peers. The word “home” has a more personal connotation, whereas “house” applies just to a structure. To quote the common saying, if “home is where the heart is,” then homeless people do have homes since they still maintain a sense of self while unhoused – they just don’t have shelter.
On the other end of the spectrum, terms like houseless and unhouse aren’t always popular since some activists perceive them as virtue signaling under the belief that exact language doesn’t matter as much as resolving the crisis at hand. Like all identifying language, it’s best to ask individuals in your local community what they prefer to be called: some might prefer being labeled as homeless, others might ask to be called a person experiencing houselessness.
Other terms used to describe homelessness include squatters, refugees, vagrants, hobos, and tramps. The act of squatting is often political, where an individual or community purposely occupies a property they do not own, rent, or otherwise have lawful permission to use. Refugees are those who are forced to flee their home country out of safety, whereas internally displaced people (IDPs) are individuals who are forced to leave their home communities but remain in that country. The last three terms (vagrant, hobo, tramp) are all considered derogatory due to the negative way they’ve been used throughout the centuries.
There are four main types of homelessness: transitional, episodic, chronic, and hidden. Houselessness is a spectrum that doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, gender, sexuality, or ability.
- Most homelessness is classified as transitional, or a brief state of homelessness due to a major life change or catastrophic event such as job loss, a health condition, divorce, domestic abuse, substance misuse, etc. Transitional houselessness is categorized as individuals experiencing housing instability for under one year. These people often (but not always) have jobs but can’t afford housing and other expenses – leading them to sleep in cars, outside, or couch surfing. Statistically, transitional homelessness consists of younger people who are harassed when seeking alternative housing. Due to their circumstances, these individuals rarely access homeless services – making them difficult to track or collect information on.
- Individuals who experience at least three periods of homelessness within the last year are labeled episodic homelessness. These people are often associated with disabilities, substance misuse, and mental health conditions that make them more prone to housing instability. While less likely to have stable or permanent employment, individuals experiencing episodic homelessness often have seasonal or minimum-wage jobs. Without adequate resources and support, episodic homelessness can easily evolve into chronic homelessness.
- Homelessness that has occurred for over a year is classified as chronic homelessness, especially if the individual has a disabling condition. Statistically, these individuals are often older, unemployed, and live on the streets or other unsafe places. Additionally, these folks are more likely to have a disability, mental health condition, or addiction that restricts their ability to climb out of homelessness. It is worth noting the phrase “the sidewalk is quicksand;” in countries like the United States, it is extremely easy to become unhoused and to escalate from transitional to chronic homelessness due to the hostile culture and resentments attached to being unhoused.
- Hidden homelessness refers to individuals who purposely live with others temporarily because they lack a permanent home. They’re considered hidden compared to the other three types since they rarely access housing resources or support, so they aren’t included in traditional houselessness data. These individuals are often younger and turn to friends, family, and neighbors to take shelter due to an inability to pay rent or afford other living expenses – but they can be further categorized as transitional, episodic, or chronic depending on how long, how often, or why they are experiencing housing instability.
By the Numbers: How Common is Homelessness?
Housing instability is difficult to compare reliably because it requires countries to self-report data and there are no consequences or motives for lying versus reporting honestly. It’s also difficult to track homelessness due to qualifiers that countries may use (ex: who exactly is ‘unemployed’ in the United States?), as well as other variables like hidden homelessness where a large portion of the houseless population doesn’t access social services and therefore can’t be counted by tracking data.
According to the United States Department of Housing, approximately 770,000 people were considered homeless in 2024 – which comes out to about 0.2% of the American public. The US Census found that 11.1% of Americans live in poverty, which accounts for 36.8 million people. 48 states criminalize homelessness, and unhoused individuals are arrested for sleeping outside or panhandling in the majority of the country – which was affirmed by the 2024 Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. Even though homeless people technically hold the same civil rights as other Americans, they are targeted and harassed by law enforcement, legislation, and other members of the general public. The following chart is daily averages based on self-reported information throughout the world:
| COUNTRY | HOMELESS POPULATION | HOMELESS PERCENTAGE |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 771,000 | 0.22% |
| Canada | 235,000 | 0.57% |
| Mexico | 14,000,000 | 10.89% |
| Brazil | 281,000 | 0.13% |
| United Kingdom | 380,000 | 0.56% |
| Ireland | 14,000 | 0.27% |
| Spain | 29,000 | 0.06% |
| France | 330,000 | 0.49% |
| Germany | 263,000 | 0.31% |
| Italy | 96,000 | 0.16% |
| Switzerland | 2,200 | 0.03% |
| Sweden | 27,000 | 0.26% |
| Australia | 122,000 | 0.46% |
| New Zealand | 102,000 | 1.96% |
| Russia | 11,000 | 0.01% |
| South Korea | 9,000 | 0.02% |
| India | 1,770,000 | 1.24% |
| Japan | 3,000 | 0.00% |
| Kenya | 20,000 | 0.04% |
| Egypt | 2,000,000 | 1.77% |
| South Africa | 56,000 | 0.09% |
As noted above, these figures are only rough estimates and self-reported – even though the United States has a relatively low percentage compared to Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia, any American will cite how pervasive homelessness is in their communities regardless of how urban or rural it is. In countries like the US, homeless individuals are more likely to be arrested and imprisoned rather than counted for in these figures and given social services. Countries like Germany, France, and Spain have higher amounts of refugees seeking safety from persecution, which are included in their statistics. There are very few places like Japan and South Korea that have genuine near-zero rates of homelessness, although they still experience poverty and other social issues.
What Causes Homelessness?
There isn’t one sole reason why homelessness occurs and there isn’t one sole way to resolve it either. For some, homelessness is caused due to low wages and high living expenses that make it impossible to find a place to rent; others have difficulty maintaining an income due to a disability, mental illness, or drug addiction. Gentrification and unfair housing policies force families out of their homes, and countries without strong welfare safety nets or mutual aid communities fail to prevent the poverty that leads to becoming unhoused.
While homelessness is inherently a housing problem, it is not only a housing problem. It’s impacted relational poverty, where unhoused individuals lose their family, friends, and community as society grows to see them as a burden that doesn’t belong. As such, all models that aim to resolve homelessness must reconnect homeless people as equal members of society. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible for chronically homeless people to escape their circumstances.
Surviving the Night: Emergency Shelter
If possible, overnight shelters are the best emergency option for those experiencing homelessness since they provide safety and protection from exposure to the weather. These shelters are temporary and generally only allow individuals to stay for one night at a time, so they aren’t great for building financial stability. Overnight shelters typically have specific intake hours but serve as a vital resource for those in critical need – in some communities, overnight shelters also act as warming and cooling centers to prevent hypothermia and heat exhaustion.
Throughout most of the United States, 211 serves as the free three-digit hotline to connect individuals with social services including emergency overnight shelters. This service is provided in all US states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico and uses a network of nonprofit agencies to support users with emergency crisis care, shelter, financial assistance, food programs, and healthcare. The Homeless Shelters Directory also hosts an online directory that can be accessed without telephone service, although their range and information are more limited than local 211 providers.
- 211 works under the assumption that you have access to a telephone with local network coverage – although some regions have 211 services available through online chat or mobile app. Most libraries will offer free phone services to patrons, as well as some businesses, and internet-based apps like WhatsApp allow users to make calls and send texts while connected to free internet such as in Walmart, coffee shops, and other community spaces.
- Several government programs provide free cell phones if individuals meet certain income requirements or participate in other federal programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI, such as the Federal Lifeline Program. Generally, unhoused individuals just have to submit proof of a government-issued ID, social security card, and/or birth certificate to be approved for a Lifeline cell phone.
Another safe option for emergency shelter is doubling up, which refers to temporarily living with friends or family rather than on the street. Doubling up is often more stationary than overnight shelters, but still has similar challenges due to overcrowding, lack of privacy, and stress. On the other hand, one’s ability to double up is dependent on their connections to friends and family members who are willing and able to share space.
The CDC estimates that 40% of homeless people live entirely unsheltered, such as in a car, outside, or other place considered unsafe for humans to reside. Individuals live in parks, bridges, subways, and makeshift camps to take care of their basic needs while carrying essential items with them like clothes, toiletries, blankets, and identification. Due to the exposure, living rough is unsafe compared to other alternatives from the risk of crime, violence, and weather. Despite this, some individuals prefer it to housing shelters since it provides more freedom than the rules and requirements shelters enforce. The legality of sleeping rough varies by region since the Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson upheld the constitutionality of arresting and imprisoning unhoused individuals for sleeping outside.
Surviving Tomorrow: Primary Needs & Beyond
Basic needs must be taken care of before people can become financially stable; it’s difficult to look past the night and find employment when you’re hungry and don’t know where you’ll be sleeping. Transitional shelters, as well as the methods described for overnight shelter and sleeping rough, fulfill the basic requirements for shelter and sleep – although transitional shelters provide an additional layer of safety and security.
Transitional shelters, also referred to as interim shelters, allow unhoused people to reside for six to 24 months. These agencies provide significantly more comprehensive services than overnight shelters, such as regular food, employment assistance, case management, and counseling. Due to this, transitional services and related homeless shelters have entry requirements, applications, and stricter rules than overnight facilities. “Continuum of Care” agencies receive federal and state funding to provide local care to unhoused people, as well as connect them to larger programs geared to promote financial stability. The same resources like 211 and overnight agencies are the most reliable and up-to-date on nearby transitional shelter programs and case management.
In cities with high homeless populations, mobile hydration units are installed to provide easy access to clean water. Most regions throughout the world have public tap water available through water fountains at parks, businesses, and other community spaces, although this water is normally unfiltered and can contain pollutants. While businesses are likely to reserve water as customer-only, most community centers, nonprofit organizations, homeless shelters, and libraries have readily available water sources. Both overnight and transitional shelters have in-depth knowledge of resources in their communities, but unhoused community members generally share their local tips.
Both hot meals and pantry items with long shelf lives are necessary to feed unhoused people regularly. Soup kitchens provide free or inexpensive meals to their communities (housed or unhoused) – while the name implies they only serve soup, soup kitchens actually provide a large variety of meals based on charity. Similarly, locally owned restaurants and businesses are more likely to donate extra food both to their communities directly as well as to shelters. On the other end of the spectrum, food banks and pantries provide food for individuals to take with them and eat later.
- The USDA National Hunger Hotline is available every Monday through Friday at 1-866-348-6479 to provide callers with information on emergency food options, government assistance programs, and social services in their communities. The Hunger Hotline also operates an automated text service at 914-342-7744.
- Feeding America is the national network of food banks, pantries, and related programs throughout the United States. Their website allows users to virtually search for pantries locally based on their zip code without needing a cell phone, which is typically required for 211 programs and the Hunger Hotline.
- Public schools and childcare centers throughout the United States are required to have free and reduced meal options for students during the regular school year via the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program. However, these programs are not always enough due to their limited accessibility and eligibility requirements that cause many students to accrue debt by buying lunch meals – which is why some districts and advocates support universal school meal programs to provide food to all students.
- Summer Food Service Programs (SFSPs) and SUN Meals provide free meals to youth in low-income areas through a network of charitable or nonprofit organizations when schools are otherwise closed for instruction. The US Department of Agriculture has an online map for youth-related meal programs, although details on programs must be directed to local agencies.
- Some school districts operate Breakfast After the Bell programs, where students are given free meals during their first-period classes to ensure all students have access to meals.
- The USDA also provides after-school snacks and meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) where youth are provided meals to enrolled students at participating public schools.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called food stamps, is a government program in the US that provides income for meals to low-income individuals. Money from SNAP can be used at participating supermarkets, farmer markets, and retailers throughout the country in addition to other programs like food banks.
- The USDA maintains a national directory of farmer markets, which allow farmers and local retailers to sell products to their communities – often with government programs like SNAP and WIC.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, is a federal program through the USDA that provides meals, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and medical services for new mothers, young children, and other eligible caregivers. Each state has individual rules on the income necessary to be eligible, which can range from 100% to 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit.
While there are no federal or government programs for clothes, most charities and nonprofit organizations maintain individual programs to provide free clothes, blankets, pads and tampons, toiletries, condoms, and other essentials to better the health, safety, and well-being of their communities.
Health emergencies don’t stop when you’re homeless – if anything, they’re more likely to happen. As mentioned in my medical resources post, there are options available for low-income and unhoused people to receive care:
- The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics has a complete list of over 1,400 clinics that provide free primary care and preventative services in the United States. These clinics can be used by anyone regardless of income status or need, and similar programs exist for dental and vision care.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are federally funded health centers and clinics that provide care on a sliding scale regardless of your ability to pay. Some free and charitable clinics are FQHCs, but not all FQHCs are free and charitable clinics – the US Department of Health and Human Services has an online directory of FQHCs for users to find a clinic local to them.
- In addition to primary care, FQHCs often hold community events for anyone in the public to receive limited preventative care like annual check-ups, immunizations, and screenings.
- FQHCs and similar organizations offer non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to provide free transportation to medical appointments based on income status – but you’ll have to check with your clinic for details.
- Free and Charitable Pharmacies operate under the same model as free and charitable clinics to dispense prescription drugs and services for free to their communities.
- While it doesn’t provide prescription medications for free, GoodRX is a free website and mobile app that provides users with massive discounts to mark down costs to near manufacture costs at over 75,000 pharmacies across the United States, including at major retailers like Walmart, CVS, Costco, and Kroger.
Special Populations & Extra Services
Certain groups of people are considered high risk for homelessness and other issues like addiction and mental illnesses, which is why additional programs and services exist to serve these needs. The following groups are the most common special populations served, but they’re not the only marginalized group at an increased risk for homelessness.
Veterans make up one of the largest groups within America’s homeless population, and account for about 13% of unhoused adults. Out of those veterans, half of them served in the Army followed closely by former Navy and Marines members. The United States spends over half of its annual budget on the military, but none of the military budget goes towards veterans – instead, it covers current salaries, equipment, facilities, and research. The Military-Industrial Complex (MIC) relies on low-income individuals to enlist for active benefits like healthcare and college education, but it fails to serve its veteran community. Veterans already have an increased risk of mental health issues and substance abuse while they attempt to transition to civilian life, leading them to become prone to homelessness if they are unable to secure a safety network with their loved ones and community. The following programs are national services provided via the Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs to combat veteran homelessness, but are only applicable to veterans who were honorably discharged – veterans with dishonorable discharges are considered ineligible for VA services, but they can still use homeless programs for non-veterans.
- The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans can be reached at 877-424-3838, which connects unhoused and at-risk veterans with housing solutions, healthcare, community employment, and other support services. They also operate the Homeless Veterans Chat for 24/7 confidential online support.
- HUD-VASH is a collaborative program between the US Department of Housing and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide free rental assistance vouchers for veterans to afford privately owned housing.
- Low-income veterans and those at risk of becoming unhoused can use SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families), even if they’re not eligible for HUD-VASH.
- The Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program funds transitional housing and service centers for veterans through state, local, and tribal governments throughout the United States. The GPD Program allows veterans to stay up to 24 months while they’re seen by caseworkers to find alternative and more permanent housing.
- The Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) Program is integrated with the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Programs to provide residential care for veterans with eligible illnesses, challenges, or rehabilitative needs.
- Veterans can find employment and vocational training under Homeless Veteran Community Employment Services (HVCES), which uses local community organizations and employers to give homeless veterans financial stability.
- For those needing extra assistance, the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program allows homeless veterans to perform transitional work while preparing for competitive employment and HVCES.
- The HCHV Program, HPACTs, and HVDP provide free healthcare, dental care, and case management to homeless veterans.
- The American Legion is the largest US veterans organization that maintains programs for over 1.6 million members. Even though they are not owned by the federal government or VA, The Legion is only available for honorably discharged veterans.
- The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans is a national organization that is not operated by the federal government and Department of Veterans Affairs, making it more eligible to serve dishonorably discharged veterans than official VA programs.
38% of all domestic violence victims become homeless at least once in their lives, and nearly all homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point. Survivors are often required to choose between ensuring an abusive relationship or becoming homeless since their housing situation is commonly tied to their relationship. Further, it’s not unusual for abusive partners to monitor and restrict their victim’s finances. As a result, many victims of abuse choose not to leave their partner due to the fear and instability that fleeing would bring.
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services to operate a 24/7 telephone line, text service, and online chat to victims of domestic abuse and allies. The Hotline also maintains a directory of providers for users to locate help in their local communities.
- Although The Salvation Army has a controversial history with LGBTQIA+ people, the entire organization has a long-standing reputation for assisting victims of domestic and sexual abuse find temporary shelter. Their programs provide rent and utility assistance, food, addiction support, counseling, housing, and community outreach.
- The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that regularly updates practices regarding domestic and sexual abuse throughout the country to match best practices. It also provides a large amount of funding that is used by shelters centered on victims of abuse while experiencing homelessness or need other support services.
- The Domestic Violence and Housing Technical Assistance Consortium is a federal collaboration to provide training and resources to homeless shelters to better support survivors of domestic abuse.
- The National Network to End Domestic Homelessness is a social change organization that works within policy and movements to create a world where domestic violence no longer exists, and also operates WomensLaw – a free online tool for anyone needing easy-to-understand legal advice on abuse.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline provides 24/7 anonymous support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives who are impacted by domestic and sexual violence. The Tribal Resource Tool is an online directory of services available to Native survivors.
- RAINN, or the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, which is available to call 24/7 or message through online chat.
- The Department of Defense Safe Helpline is a specialized service for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault, giving them one-on-one support and resources through their call center. The DoD Safe Helpline is managed by RAINN to help those in the intersection of sexual and domestic violence while being an active or former member of the United States military, available by phone, online chat, mobile app, and forum.
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline is operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services to allow victims of human trafficking as well as those concerned about trafficking in their communities to report anonymous tips. The Hotline’s referral directory provides users with an online database of anti-trafficking programs and organizations throughout the country based on their location.
Approximately 10% of youth experience homelessness at a similar rate to veterans. Out of those youth, over 90% of them are between the ages of 18 to 24 – although, as mentioned previously, these individuals are the least likely to use homeless services and remain uncounted and hidden from the general homeless population. Many of these young people age out of the foster system, are LGBTQIA+, or are otherwise kicked out from their family homes with nowhere to go – leading them to become unhoused as soon as they meet the minimum age to be cast aside according to federal law.
- Covenant House is the largest charity in North and Central America that provides shelter for unhoused young people and survivors of human trafficking. Their shelters accept individuals between the ages of 18 to 24 around the clock in nearly all major cities in the US.
- Boys Town is a nonprofit organization with several locations around the United States that exists as one of the largest family care organizations in the nation that facilitates residential care in family-style homes to support at-risk youth regardless of gender.
- Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program for young people under the age of 18 in need of immediate help and safety. They have locations across the country and can be accessed by text for professional confidential help.
- YMCAs and YWCAs often operate homeless shelters and other services for youth in their communities in major cities, similar to programs run by other religious organizations.
- The National Runaway Safeline is the national communications system for runaway and homeless youth in the United States. Their call center provides 24-hour information on youth-related issues and services and can be reached by telephone, text, online chat, and forum. Their Home Free program partners with Greyhound Lines to transport runaway, homeless, and exploited youth to stable locations such as family homes, homeless shelters, transitional living programs, and other alternative living arrangements.
- True Colors United is an agency centered on LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC unhoused youth since 40% of homeless youth identify as queer or transgender. As an advocacy organization, True Colors United guides policy on the federal, state, and local levels to be more inclusive when creating a world without homeless youth.
- The Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Demonstration Project (RHY-PDP) provides federal funding to youth homelessness programs that serve individuals ages 22 and under to increase community resources and services available.
- The Basic Center Program and Runaway and Homeless Youth Act grants funding to community-based organizations to give short-term emergency shelter, food, clothing, and medical care to young people under the age of 18.
- Similarly, the Transitional Living Program is authorized by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to provide funding to organizations for living arrangements and shelter to youth between the ages of 16 to 22 while also giving access to life skills, education and vocational training, counseling, healthcare, and employment assistance.
- The Maternity Group Homes for Pregnant and Parenting Youth Program is a federal service for pregnant and parenting youth between the ages of 16 and 22 who are experiencing homelessness to increase access to social services.
- The Street Outreach Program supports organizations centered on unhoused youth, runaway youth, and street youth to help them find stable housing and social services to prevent sexual and physical exploitation.
- The Foster Youth to Independence Initiative gives housing vouchers to young people between the ages of 18 to 24 in collaboration with public child welfare agencies to provide additional financial assistance.
- Other federal youth-related homeless programs can be found at youth.gov, which contains current services operated by the United States government.
People who are at risk of losing their primary residence within 14 days and do not have the resources to find another living arrangement are classified as imminently homeless. Imminently homeless individuals may not be able to have the full range of services provided to fully unhoused individuals, but they are still able to apply for programs to better their support systems through various social services.
As mentioned previously, not all marginalized groups who are at an increased risk of homelessness have special services to combat their risk of being unhoused. Some regions may have programs and shelters specially catered for these causes, but they’re not nationwide. Some of these groups include LGBTQIA+ people, Black Americans, Native Americans, disabled people, and low-income households.
Additional Homelessness Resources
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.