Person Shares 21 Tips On How To Prepare For Being Homeless In America

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.

In these critical times, homelessness is becoming a real threat to many Americans

Person Shares 21 Tips On How To Prepare For Being Homeless In America

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

Person Shares 21 Tips On How To Prepare For Being Homeless In America

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

Person Shares 21 Tips On How To Prepare For Being Homeless In America

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WilvanderHeijden 4 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.

99points

Hans 4 years ago

In fact, they need a guide how not too starve. This is outrageous!

28points

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Suzi Gauthier 4 years ago

Everybody here is too afraid of somebody else getting something for free (except corporations) so they all end up with nothing.

20points

Lillukka79 4 years ago

We do have homeless people in Finland, but of course the numbers are low. Mostly people who have f****d up their lives with drugs or alcohol and not willing to do anything about it, but there are normal people that just fall through the cracs.

12points

Ami Temi 4 years ago

I completely agree. As some state, yes: there are homeless people in Finland or any normal country too, but the social welfare system makes a tremendous difference. It can mean the difference between living or death. I'd happily pay more taxes and know that everyone is contributing to helping those in need. I don't understand how homelessness and its consequences are going to be a reality for hard working people. How are whole families with kids going to survive? I really hope miracles do exist...

3points

Rainclouds Radio 4 years ago

I'm sorry, the Nordic countries, including Finland do have their fair share of homeless... maybe homeless for different reasons but still homeless

1point

John Smith 4 years ago

According to Wil: "everyone with a clear vision on matters can see that it fails in every aspect of humanity, compassion and support for the people that can't make it despite their best efforts." WTF!?!? Wil is not familiar with the phenomenon of refugees from across the globe doing everything they can to come to America for a better life. America is the most charitable and compassionate nation on Earth. Wil definitely has a chip on his shoulder about America .....why Wil, why? Relax Buddy. Clutch your iPhone a little less tightly. Breathe. You'll be okay.

0points

Monika Soffronow 4 years ago

Parts of mainly northern Europe have a problem with homeless beggars who are in fact trafficking victims, forced to beg and allowed to keep only a very small amount. There are also some who are seasonal beggars of their own accord, owing to high unemployment, discrimination of marginalized minorities in their home countries and above all the differences in living standards between 'Affluent Europe' and the poorest of 'Poor Europe'.

-2points

John Smith 4 years ago

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FredSaidRight 4 years ago

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giovanna 4 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.

43points

Liz the Wanderer 4 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.

24points

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Peter Kelly 4 years ago

Sadly, it is a direct consequence of the myth that is 'the American Dream' and the attitudes that encompasses: the oft-repeated belief that if you simply work hard enough and persevere you will succeed and become wealthy, while being completely ignorant of the reality that for one to acquire great wealth others will have far less.

11points

deanna woods 4 years ago

I agree with you. The US is supposed to be the greatest country in the world and yet we have so many problems. Anytime someone mentions these problems they are told by the Republicans that if they don't like the way things are they can get out. A lot of us Americans want things to be different, but like Liz said the greedy rich control everything.

5points

Manuel Delgado 4 years ago

It's been a long time since the U.S. ceased to be a "1st world" country.

2points

K. LNU 4 years ago

Unfortunately, welfare is totally misused in many cases. I have met people on welfare, and most don't want to be on it. However, I have met those that tell me "why should I look for a job? I make about $XX an hour, doing nothing." So on both sides, there is a good and bad of US welfare. It used to do good, but now, many bad apples have spoiled the whole bunch. Welfare was never made to be a life choice.

-1point

Johnny 4 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.

25points