Help Has anyone here been homeless before?

[hurts2b]

It's about to be my situation (See: this post).

If anyone here has faced homelessness. Or is still in that situation. What was your experience with it?

 

[makotoyuki]

I wasn't in that situation myself, but I did know people who went through it.
Mostly, it's about being on high alert at night because of how exposed you are to everything; if you can stay awake from 2 to 5 a.m. depending on when the sun rises in your country that's much better.
Never trust others too quickly; you have to rely solely on yourself. You don't know the other person's intentions, and you shouldn't get involved in other people's problems, or you'll end up in trouble down the line.
Defend yourself by any means necessary.
It might sound extreme, but this is the perspective of someone living in a country where the nights are dangerous; I don't know what it's like in your country.

 

[discernment]

I haven't experienced it although my housing situation is very unstable so its something that I worry about a lot. Its definitely not impossible that i'd find myself in that situation in the future given that I have no support network. I don't think I really have any useful advice, I don't know what country you're in but I wish that there was more support available with housing, its a basic necessity that everyone should be entitled to :(

 

[Widow39]

Nope and I hope never or I'll ctb before it happens. Should be horrible to have your own home

 

[limenlux]

I'm currently homeless as of a few weeks ago, though I've been able to (mostly) avoid the street thus far due to a combination of very tenuous couch surfing and what one might describe as a kind of quasi-tolerated squatting, both of which are thanks to a friend with whom I recently re-connected who is trying to help me, but lacks the capacity to house and care for a disabled person.

I wasn't in that situation myself, but I did know people who went through it.
Mostly, it's about being on high alert at night because of how exposed you are to everything; if you can stay awake from 2 to 5 a.m. depending on when the sun rises in your country that's much better.
Never trust others too quickly; you have to rely solely on yourself. You don't know the other person's intentions, and you shouldn't get involved in other people's problems, or you'll end up in trouble down the line.
Defend yourself by any means necessary.
It might sound extreme, but this is the perspective of someone living in a country where the nights are dangerous; I don't know what it's like in your country.

Having heard this from other people, and now experiencing at least a bit of it myself, I would highly recommend taking the above advice to heart.

This will vary by locale, but I would also recommend searching online for "wraparound services". These are programs that are designed to facilitate access to the full-spectrum of community and social services, such as intensive mental health care, shelter access or housing, job training and employment issues, and things like signing up for Medicaid and welfare assistance. I'm currently connecting with a program through a local homeless shelter, and while they certainly aren't moving in such a way to keep pace with my rapidly deteriorating quality of life, I believe it will be better in the long run to cooperate with them if I am unable to CTB.

 

[EscThisPlace321]

Yes you eventually figure out how to handle the situation.

 

[Quinlor]

No, but when I was going through a period of severe depression, I used to walk around the city centre without a destination all day long...

 

[Preh1storic_Rib]

After my first lease was up I couldn't find another apartment. I didn't have much saved up because my job was part time and I desperately did not want roommates again.
I couch surfed for a bit, but I was so dissasociated all the time I think it was disturbing for who I was staying with. They made me stay out during the day, and eventually it turned into a 'we will take care of your cats(2) until you find a place, but take care of your own stuff'. I am very grateful they did, I love my cats but they could never be outdoor, they are way too anxious.

Only by that point my ID had expired. It was very much hell. I have limited records because I basically ran after finishing school and my parents would not give me more if I asked. Any sort of help people direct you to here requires records. I was not officially on the lease of my last apartment so I couldn't use those.
Very luckily I knew my mother's midwife(? I don't know the word), but who officiated my birth. I got in contact with her and she could request the certificates with my consent, I got an ID again. Without her I would likely still be homeless.

If you are on the streets please be vigilant. It sucks so much and you will feel like you don't exist for how little people will even look at you, but it is better to face it and be paranoid than being hurt. You will likely meet a few people who use stimulants to stay awake instead of sleeping in dangerous places. Avoid that for as long as you can (obviously I hope), but please don't feel guilt if you find yourself needing to turn to the same.
If you have the money for motels/camp grounds/etc. be aware many will turn you away once they realize your situation. Keeping up the idea that you're just a tourist is very important (also for your safety), as is keeping clean.