Give Meaningful Help to the Homeless
Practical Tips for Real Impact
Homeless people all have unique stories and they’re usually happy to share them, if you wish to listen. Often, they end up on the streets because they lost their job, succumbed to a drug or alcohol addiction (two-thirds), lost temporary housing, legal issues, medical problems, lack of family support, escaped domestic violence, aged out of foster care, or pushed out of home at 18 years old or younger.

The information presented below is based on an interview with a kind, generous, middle-aged homeless Chicago woman with a scratchy voice.
Are shelters the solution?
Many homeless persons think shelters are worse than sleeping on the streets. Some are poorly operated. You might pick up bed bugs or body lice. Some are dangerous. You might get robbed. They may be located far away from where the homeless person sits in the daytime. Finally, many have identification card requirements, which is a real problem for some homeless who lost them to be admitted to a shelter.
But you still can meet a need for homeless persons who don’t know much about the shelters. There still may be opportunities to refer people for help beyond the streets. Take the time to call and learn what the local homeless shelters do. What are the names of these agencies? What are their requirements? Where are they located? What programs and social services are offered? Can they eventually get people into permanent housing?
What are some barriers to housing?
Many homeless persons will have no official IDs (state ID card, Social Security card, birth certificate) and will need help getting them replaced, which can be a difficult and complex process but a very important one. You need IDs to replace IDs which might make this seem impossible, but simply trace back what you’ll need and call the agency if you need help or alternatives. Social Security, for instance will take a Voter ID card as a substitute, which you probably can do for your friend online. In this world it’s hard to imagine anybody getting a lease on an apartment with nothing to verify who they are. That also goes for employment, public aid, and Social Security applications. Since this is a very time-intensive, labor-intensive, and financial-intensive process, be confident that the homeless person is ready, willing, and able to go the distance to obtaining the IDs.
Some homeless persons have had run-ins with the law. Try not to judge them. People make mistakes in life, and some are forever punished for them. They may be homeless because they have records in their backgrounds that disqualify them from jobs and housing. Be a compassionate advocate for them.
Without a job or public benefits, homeless persons cannot pay rent.
Not all housing is acceptable to a homeless person. Frequently, rents that might be affordable are in unsafe and dangerous locations.
What safety issues do homeless people regularly contend with?
They get harassed, discriminated against, robbed, beat up, and raped with little recourse.
What do homeless persons really need?
Below are the types of things you might help a homeless person acquire. Note that the more in-depth work with someone requires a tremendous commitment on both parts. It’s easier to pass out items further below than to obtain identification, for instance.
- Food, packages or take-home bags after lunch
- Free state medical insurance, if available locally
- Federal and state SNAP (food) and/or WIC benefits
- Other public aid
- A safe, comfortable place to sleep
- GED, job training, or help with disability benefit applications if they cannot work and are qualified
- A place to shower, such as a park district field house
- Transit cards
- Access to laundry facilities
- Practical and local gift cards
- Blankets and pillows
- A Sharpie marker (for their signs)
- Toilet paper
- Bath towel
- Face soap
- Body wash
- Baby wipes
- Lots of socks and underwear
- SPF-30 sunscreen
- Sleeping bags
- Oversized luggage to consolidate bags and belongings
- Long underwear
- Leggings
- Occasionally toothpaste/toothbrushes
- Other hygiene products
- Shampoo with conditioner built in (especially for women)
- Cash for food and other necessities
- Decent cell phone (only if you’re willing to pay the monthly bills, and replace lost, stolen, or broken phones)
Can I help homeless persons with local resources?
Do the research for the homeless in your immediate area. Put together a very local resource guide that includes 12-step meeting locations, recovery books, park district field houses hours and locations, coffee shop hours and locations, names and addresses of local emergency rooms, places to eat, laundromats, winter warming center locations and services, your town’s or county’s winter emergency shelter phone numbers (such as police and fire departments, or homeless information lines), and local offices for Social Security and state driver’s services for state ID cards.
What can you expect helping the homeless?
One homeless friend said, “Gratitude.”
It pains me to say this, but you can expect a challenging relationship if your work with a particular person is ongoing. Their needs are limitless, and they’re masterful at surviving. Something’s wrong if you feel guilty or uncomfortable with something.
What can people offer that the homeless care about most?
Homeless people hate to be ignored, especially if they talk to you. A kind word will do. Some passersby will regularly give a homeless person a few minutes of their time. You can be a healing presence simply by being present to homeless persons, caring about their well-being, and actually seeing and treating them like a human.
More info at https://medium.com/tough-break.

