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Hello everyone! This is the first time in my life I have been in this situation and can use some guidance. I am located in San Diego, California and I am homeless and have no money. I don't know anything about housing assistance or welfare or even what steps to follow and in what order. I may qualify for welfare as I made only $8000 last year on my tax return. As of Monday, I have nowhere to stay again, and pray for some assistance with cheap or free housing, food, etc... anyone have a sensible plan that I can follow to get back on my feet? I really appreciate it!
**I guess I also should've mentioned that I am extremely spiritual - I don't just want a handout or a place to stay, I would also like to HELP others, including doing missionary work. At this point, I really do NOT want a house, apartment, or "normal life" but I also do not want to be on the street, obviously. Hopefully this extra info will better help your guidance.... *thanks*
Answer
Here's a list of homeless shelters in the San Diago area http://www.hud.gov/local/ca/homeless/shelters/sdgshelter.cfm, It also has links for rental help. and another http://www.thecentersd.org/homeless.php The second one tells a bit more what each offers. also check http://www.altavista.com/web/results?q=homeless+shelters%29PHRASEWORDS%28san+diego+CA
Food resources: Best place to learn about those is http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx?zip=92101 btw the place listed there also offers job training which is not required to get food but could be a help. Local welfare dept. can help with food stamps. You do not need an address to get stamps.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/ has other help lists and a good article on what to do if you are about to be homeless.
Basics: First see if you can extend beyond Monday. Even a few more days can help you have a better, safer, plan.
1. If an eviction is it landlord or court that gave the get out date. If you are renting at least weekly and not ion a motel or boarding house they have to evict you through a court and you can stay till they do.
2. If in a motel or boarding house ask is there work you can do to earn room. Many do provide a place to live as part of pay sometimes, so do resorts, camps, farms sometimes. Check with all such places near you to see if they have anything like that available.
3. If a friend or relative see if they can extend to Friday if you show them what you are working on towards being in a safe place.
If delay is not possible try to find someone trustable with whom you can leave most of your stuff. Travel very light. Especially stow anything of special value to you not just $ value but sentimental in a safe place. Be sure you have ID you will need it for every shelter, food pantry, job application,etc. Get together any money you can. Arrange an address (friend or relative) where mail can be sent or arrange to have it held at PO. If you have $ for a PO get it now while they still have a record of delivering to you at a street address since PO says one must have a street address to get a PO box.
If you have a car you may be able to find a state or municipal part or a Wall Mart parking lot etc. or highway rest area, where you can safely park and get some rest. In general if doing that it is better to be on the move and awake nights and sleep days if you can. For ex park at night by an all night grocery, go in and shop (ie walk thru store) buy some small thing if you can so u have a store receipt, then sit a few hrs in parking lot. If u fall asleep it's no big thing but do not stretch out to sleep and look like u r camping out there unless you find others are staying there w/ no problems which some Wall Marts allow for ex. U can do something similar at an all night eating place. Catch your major sleep days or early eve in a park under a tree, at the beach (use sunscreen and do not sleep in direct sun in hottest part of day). Get caught all night in the park and u may be busted as a vagrant. Get caught snoozing in the day and you are just tired. Again there may be places that are exceptions. Pick different places different nights. Needless to say avoid being in possession of anything illegal or prohibited in that area. Keep yourself and your stuff clean. if you bathe in public restrooms pick ones where you go in and lock the door or take wet paper towels and a cup of water to stall. Some nosy people will complain if it is one where people come in and out.
Check out day labor (work that day get paid that day) places.
Calling 211 is a good idea. Ask too what agency is handling "homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs" if 211 doesn't know welfare should. This is a federal program that gives grants to state and regional agencies to help people get a place to stay. You have to be homeless or about to be, have some possibility of being employable, test drug free in most places, and jump through a lot of hoops but it pays rent and utilities for 3 months and helps find job.
Here's a list of homeless shelters in the San Diago area http://www.hud.gov/local/ca/homeless/shelters/sdgshelter.cfm, It also has links for rental help. and another http://www.thecentersd.org/homeless.php The second one tells a bit more what each offers. also check http://www.altavista.com/web/results?q=homeless+shelters%29PHRASEWORDS%28san+diego+CA
Food resources: Best place to learn about those is http://feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx?zip=92101 btw the place listed there also offers job training which is not required to get food but could be a help. Local welfare dept. can help with food stamps. You do not need an address to get stamps.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/ has other help lists and a good article on what to do if you are about to be homeless.
Basics: First see if you can extend beyond Monday. Even a few more days can help you have a better, safer, plan.
1. If an eviction is it landlord or court that gave the get out date. If you are renting at least weekly and not ion a motel or boarding house they have to evict you through a court and you can stay till they do.
2. If in a motel or boarding house ask is there work you can do to earn room. Many do provide a place to live as part of pay sometimes, so do resorts, camps, farms sometimes. Check with all such places near you to see if they have anything like that available.
3. If a friend or relative see if they can extend to Friday if you show them what you are working on towards being in a safe place.
If delay is not possible try to find someone trustable with whom you can leave most of your stuff. Travel very light. Especially stow anything of special value to you not just $ value but sentimental in a safe place. Be sure you have ID you will need it for every shelter, food pantry, job application,etc. Get together any money you can. Arrange an address (friend or relative) where mail can be sent or arrange to have it held at PO. If you have $ for a PO get it now while they still have a record of delivering to you at a street address since PO says one must have a street address to get a PO box.
If you have a car you may be able to find a state or municipal part or a Wall Mart parking lot etc. or highway rest area, where you can safely park and get some rest. In general if doing that it is better to be on the move and awake nights and sleep days if you can. For ex park at night by an all night grocery, go in and shop (ie walk thru store) buy some small thing if you can so u have a store receipt, then sit a few hrs in parking lot. If u fall asleep it's no big thing but do not stretch out to sleep and look like u r camping out there unless you find others are staying there w/ no problems which some Wall Marts allow for ex. U can do something similar at an all night eating place. Catch your major sleep days or early eve in a park under a tree, at the beach (use sunscreen and do not sleep in direct sun in hottest part of day). Get caught all night in the park and u may be busted as a vagrant. Get caught snoozing in the day and you are just tired. Again there may be places that are exceptions. Pick different places different nights. Needless to say avoid being in possession of anything illegal or prohibited in that area. Keep yourself and your stuff clean. if you bathe in public restrooms pick ones where you go in and lock the door or take wet paper towels and a cup of water to stall. Some nosy people will complain if it is one where people come in and out.
Check out day labor (work that day get paid that day) places.
Calling 211 is a good idea. Ask too what agency is handling "homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs" if 211 doesn't know welfare should. This is a federal program that gives grants to state and regional agencies to help people get a place to stay. You have to be homeless or about to be, have some possibility of being employable, test drug free in most places, and jump through a lot of hoops but it pays rent and utilities for 3 months and helps find job.
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Title Post: I'm homeless and broke, where can I go for help?
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