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567,715 people, which makes seventeen out of every 10,000, had experienced homelessness on a typical night in January 2019, according to HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count. The number makes up more residents than some rural states.
Meanwhile, a recent study showed that pandemic-induced crises in the economy, unemployment, and housing market could lead to a 45% spike in overall homelessness within 1 year. Living without a home is now a real threat to many Americans, and as hard as it is to talk about this problem, one person stood up and shared practical tips on surviving homelessness.
“I cannot tell you how it hurts me to have to write this,” the man who has lived without shelter and had to car camp at some point in his life said in the honest post on Imgur. He then proceeded to list all the know-how useful for anyone who may ever find themselves in this stressful situation.
RELATED:
In these critical times, homelessness is becoming a real threat to many Americans
Image credits: Hayne Palmour IV/The San Diego Union-Tribune (not the actual photo)
The former homeless person shared practical tips on how to live without a home in this honest post
HUD’s Point in Time (PIT) count is the most widely used measure to identify the number of homeless people in the US. However, it’s believed that the PIT count’s number of 567,715, referring to the homeless people on a single night in January, doesn’t represent the whole picture.
First of all, The National Coalition for the Homeless points out that the PIT count doesn’t count individuals who became homeless recently and who are staying in supportive housing. According to Bloomberg CityLab, this population added up to 503,473 in 2017 and pushed the total count of homeless people in the US above 1 million.
Secondly, PIT Count takes place in January, which is believed to suppress the results, because people deliberately use any sources they can to find shelter during the coldest months of the year.
And thirdly, PIT Count doesn’t account for people who are in constant danger of losing any shelter as they rely on friends, relatives, sleeping in cars, and the good will of others.
And this is what others had to comment
What do you think ?
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
It's quite sad the people in one of the richest countries in the world need to have a guide for homelessness. People in those "shithole socialist" countries do not have these worries. The US should look at Finland and learn that homelessness can be solved.
Hans 5 years ago
In fact, they need a guide how not too starve. This is outrageous!
Load More Replies...
giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
What seems like a total lack of a welfare state in the USA keeps astonishing me. This not how a first world country should look like.
Liz the Wanderer 5 years ago
Most of us agree. But we are ruled by the greedy rich, who only care about profit. It's sickening. This greed is what got us tRump.
Load More Replies...
Johnny 5 years ago
I worked at a hotel one summer in college -- the lady that cleaned up after breakfast put all of the leftover food in a plastic bin and disappeared with it every day and came back 20 minutes later with an empty bin. I asked her about it and she said she threw it away. I asked the manager since it seemed odd and he looked me in the eyes and said "She threw it away as required by corporate policy" and it was clear that was the only answer. Found out later that she took the food to a well known homeless camp where she once lived.
Iapetos 5 years ago
It is obscene and ugly that corporate policy requires you to throw away good food when there are hungry people.
Load More Replies...
Cat 5 years ago
Been fortunate enough not having to worry about homelessness but it's heartbreaking to hear those stories. I don't mind getting someone a meal, and personal experience, they usually just ask for basic stuff too, but I'm a bit wary of giving people cash though.
Liz Karsa 5 years ago
Then don't give people cash directly...take your cash and donate it to your local food bank. Or carry granola bars in your bag to pass out when someone asks you for money. Simple fix.
Load More Replies...
Sakeena 5 years ago
Evictions also prevent people from finding new homes, because of negative credit histories. Good job, America.
SaraFromHell 5 years ago
Not to mention first last and security is too much for the average person to come up with!
Load More Replies...
Sean Harrison 5 years ago
Most people don't understand what the realities of being homeless are, since it will likely never happen to them. But, you also have to understand just how hard it really is to get out of homelessness, especially if you have an eviction on your record. Most of the time, property owners just won't rent to you. Their requirements are strict and no one wants to stick their necks out, just in case you have to be evicted. I've been living out of my car for 5 years now, I make my own money freelancing (not a lot, but I don't need to be on welfare) and I have no eviction on my record, but I can't get anyone to rent to me since I have no current rental history, no co-signer, no references. When I did go to homeless shelters/programs for help, because I don't meet the "priority criteria" (single parent, pregnant woman, elderly or disabled) I just get put on the wait-list. The wait can be as long as 7 years, if you ever even get called back (not likely).
Jon S. 5 years ago
That sucks. I wish you luck finding your own place and I'm frankly impressed you've managed to keep things together.
Load More Replies...
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Was only homeless a few weeks, and lived in a rural situation, so if you are homeless and not urban/suburban? Be sure you are *not* trespassing on private land in rural areas. People do shoot first. If your car is not an option, reduce your life to what you can carry in a suitcase and a backpack, and ask rural landlords if htey need caretakers for off-season (when no hunters/fishers rent cabins). It ain't great work, but even if it's only two weeks, you got a roof, water, safety. Never keep cash in one place, and never keep it in your car if you have one. Every other desperate person will know to look there. And DO NOT PANHANDLE. It's a great way to a meal and a bed overnight at the police department, but you get a record. Wrecks chances for future employment. No jobs? Volunteer. Great connections to make, looks good on resume. And never keep more than you can carry as you *walk*. You will walk. *Use* charitable organizations for help ---- Salvation Army, etc.
Helen Haley 5 years ago
Many charitable organization (local or national) have an awful lot of parameters you must fall within in order to qualify for so much as a bed overnight, and still it all tends to be short of what is needed. I've always thought it would be great to have a website database of all national charity's with addresses and contact info of where you can go for what help and what all of their parameters were. I can't imagine spending my last bit of money for a bus ticket only to find out they wouldn't take me because I was 1 year too old or too young etc.
Load More Replies...
AnaV. 5 years ago
Actually, there are homeless people almost everywhere. I've known many in the capital of the European country where I live, and they don't live in cars because it's one of the first things to go. It's expensive to own a car and most poor people can't afford one. When someone loses the ability to earn an income they let go everything but their homes, but when they can't pay the rent or mortgage, and don't have anyone to help, they are in the streets with nothing, sleeping in hidden places and hiding from the police and the judgemental looks (or harsh words) from those who don't like seeing what they're going through. Governments usually either ignore their existence or do their best to make them disappear from the view of "respected" citizens and tourists. They exist, but they are hiding, trying to survive without being noticed.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 5 years ago
As a kid, we were homeless quite often. I'm am a master at dumpster diving. Grocery stores are a good bet, but they started locking their dumpsters. If you can get ahold of a lock cutter, you're golden. Many fast food places throw a lot of food away at the end of the night. Check in with them a half hour before close and see if they would be willing to give you the leftovers. Most of the kids working the night shift are more than happy to do so.
Mimi777 5 years ago
My mom works in a well known sit down restaurant. And they make them pour some kind of chemicals on the leftovers they throw out in the dumpster. It’s messed up. And could seriously make someone ill. Idk why they care if someone takes some food that’s getting thrown away anyways. I’ve also heard of some other places doing that.
Load More Replies...
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
It's quite sad the people in one of the richest countries in the world need to have a guide for homelessness. People in those "shithole socialist" countries do not have these worries. The US should look at Finland and learn that homelessness can be solved.
Hans 5 years ago
In fact, they need a guide how not too starve. This is outrageous!
Load More Replies... giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
What seems like a total lack of a welfare state in the USA keeps astonishing me. This not how a first world country should look like.
Liz the Wanderer 5 years ago
Most of us agree. But we are ruled by the greedy rich, who only care about profit. It's sickening. This greed is what got us tRump.
Load More Replies... Johnny 5 years ago
I worked at a hotel one summer in college -- the lady that cleaned up after breakfast put all of the leftover food in a plastic bin and disappeared with it every day and came back 20 minutes later with an empty bin. I asked her about it and she said she threw it away. I asked the manager since it seemed odd and he looked me in the eyes and said "She threw it away as required by corporate policy" and it was clear that was the only answer. Found out later that she took the food to a well known homeless camp where she once lived.
Iapetos 5 years ago
It is obscene and ugly that corporate policy requires you to throw away good food when there are hungry people.
Load More Replies... Cat 5 years ago
Been fortunate enough not having to worry about homelessness but it's heartbreaking to hear those stories. I don't mind getting someone a meal, and personal experience, they usually just ask for basic stuff too, but I'm a bit wary of giving people cash though.
Liz Karsa 5 years ago
Then don't give people cash directly...take your cash and donate it to your local food bank. Or carry granola bars in your bag to pass out when someone asks you for money. Simple fix.
Load More Replies... Sakeena 5 years ago
Evictions also prevent people from finding new homes, because of negative credit histories. Good job, America.
SaraFromHell 5 years ago
Not to mention first last and security is too much for the average person to come up with!
Load More Replies... Sean Harrison 5 years ago
Most people don't understand what the realities of being homeless are, since it will likely never happen to them. But, you also have to understand just how hard it really is to get out of homelessness, especially if you have an eviction on your record. Most of the time, property owners just won't rent to you. Their requirements are strict and no one wants to stick their necks out, just in case you have to be evicted. I've been living out of my car for 5 years now, I make my own money freelancing (not a lot, but I don't need to be on welfare) and I have no eviction on my record, but I can't get anyone to rent to me since I have no current rental history, no co-signer, no references. When I did go to homeless shelters/programs for help, because I don't meet the "priority criteria" (single parent, pregnant woman, elderly or disabled) I just get put on the wait-list. The wait can be as long as 7 years, if you ever even get called back (not likely).
Jon S. 5 years ago
That sucks. I wish you luck finding your own place and I'm frankly impressed you've managed to keep things together.
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
Was only homeless a few weeks, and lived in a rural situation, so if you are homeless and not urban/suburban? Be sure you are *not* trespassing on private land in rural areas. People do shoot first. If your car is not an option, reduce your life to what you can carry in a suitcase and a backpack, and ask rural landlords if htey need caretakers for off-season (when no hunters/fishers rent cabins). It ain't great work, but even if it's only two weeks, you got a roof, water, safety. Never keep cash in one place, and never keep it in your car if you have one. Every other desperate person will know to look there. And DO NOT PANHANDLE. It's a great way to a meal and a bed overnight at the police department, but you get a record. Wrecks chances for future employment. No jobs? Volunteer. Great connections to make, looks good on resume. And never keep more than you can carry as you *walk*. You will walk. *Use* charitable organizations for help ---- Salvation Army, etc.
Helen Haley 5 years ago
Many charitable organization (local or national) have an awful lot of parameters you must fall within in order to qualify for so much as a bed overnight, and still it all tends to be short of what is needed. I've always thought it would be great to have a website database of all national charity's with addresses and contact info of where you can go for what help and what all of their parameters were. I can't imagine spending my last bit of money for a bus ticket only to find out they wouldn't take me because I was 1 year too old or too young etc.
Load More Replies... AnaV. 5 years ago
Actually, there are homeless people almost everywhere. I've known many in the capital of the European country where I live, and they don't live in cars because it's one of the first things to go. It's expensive to own a car and most poor people can't afford one. When someone loses the ability to earn an income they let go everything but their homes, but when they can't pay the rent or mortgage, and don't have anyone to help, they are in the streets with nothing, sleeping in hidden places and hiding from the police and the judgemental looks (or harsh words) from those who don't like seeing what they're going through. Governments usually either ignore their existence or do their best to make them disappear from the view of "respected" citizens and tourists. They exist, but they are hiding, trying to survive without being noticed.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 5 years ago
As a kid, we were homeless quite often. I'm am a master at dumpster diving. Grocery stores are a good bet, but they started locking their dumpsters. If you can get ahold of a lock cutter, you're golden. Many fast food places throw a lot of food away at the end of the night. Check in with them a half hour before close and see if they would be willing to give you the leftovers. Most of the kids working the night shift are more than happy to do so.
Mimi777 5 years ago
My mom works in a well known sit down restaurant. And they make them pour some kind of chemicals on the leftovers they throw out in the dumpster. It’s messed up. And could seriously make someone ill. Idk why they care if someone takes some food that’s getting thrown away anyways. I’ve also heard of some other places doing that.
Load More Replies...
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