For some folks, a realistic assessment of oneself is the starting point. Do you have a condition that could be considered a disability? Do you have a progressive disease? Is there something that restricts your ability to walk, move your arms, or perform work-related tasks, such that you are no longer employable in jobs you once held? Do you suffer from a cognitive disability, such as Alzheimers, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe and disabling chronic depression, bipolar disorder, brain trauma, or other condition that substantially impairs your mental functioning? If you believe you might have a disabling condition, you should not be living on the streets.

First step. Find a social services agency that can set you up with a case manager to guide you in the process of filing a claim for disability with the U.S. Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or other agency or previous employer or labor union or whoever else might have an obligation to compensate you for your disability. You may need a lawyer; many lawyers do pro bono work (donating their time and not charging their usual and customary fees) or will work on a contingency arrangement in which you pay only if you win your case or in some cases, the other party pays your legal fees.

Once you are awarded compensation for your claim, finding a place to call home won't seem so difficult.

My disability is that I'm stupid. Sorry, I couldn't resist trying to add some humor! I don't think that's a real disability.

Another important step in going from being homeless to finding a permanent home is having a place to keep your belongings while you are homeless. I was once in a homeless shelter that had storage space in the basement where they kept people's stuff for them, and I thought it would be a great idea for me to put my extra pairs of jeans there for a few days while I was out working for a local rancher on a temporary fence job. Unfortunately, when I came back from the ranch job, the trash bag with my name taped on it was empty and my jeans were gone. I learned a valuable lesson there, trust no one with your stuff.

Another thing I've tried is to put my stuff in several plastic trash bags, and then put them into a plastic storage box with a lid and hide the whole thing in some bushes or in a hole I dug in the ground, covered over with tree branches. This keeps the animals from ruining stuff. Somehow, though, when it rains, the water works its way into the plastic box and everything inside is soaked.

I finally found a solution that worked. I got together with another homeless man, someone I could trust, and we shared the rent cost of a small storage locker. We did have to buy a padlock for it, one that included two keys. We could keep our belongings in it without worrying about anyone stealing them or animals ruining them. This is a solution I really recommend. It allowed me to not have to worry about my stuff while I was out doing temporary jobs for money, and by being able to work, I was eventually able to save up enough money to rent a small room with a bed and a telephone in it. The one disadvantage of keeping your stuff in a rented storage locker is that the business may be closed on holidays and probably will only be open for part of each day, so you have to plan ahead and think about what you will need in advance.

if you are a domestic violence victim, file a report with the police, go to a women's or other shelter. while there, you can take your documentation of the DV to the local housing authority and get on their list for section 8 and other reduced rent programs. if you are also disabled, take that documentation to the housing office. the more "problems" you have, the higher up on the list you will be.

My husband and i were homeless a couple of years ago and got help with a security deposit and first months rent from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. you do not have to be a member to get help. Look in the phone book for numbers. Hopefully, the area has an LDS Social Services offices. If there is one, a person can meet with a Transient Bishop who can point you in the right direction.

I do agree that keeping any belongings you have is important. I placed mine in those space bags that you suck the air out of. It kept them clean and I had a portable vacumm to take the air out of them. Having a place to store them was a problem. I finally found a person I can trust to keep them for me. Problem solved, BUT, as you say..I can not always get to them when I want them. I do, however, have the peace in me that the things are safe. In going from place to place to find work or get a sleeping place it felt good to know things will not get stolen from me. I currently am still looking for work and still living out of boxes and bags. I am grateful for the winter this year being as mild and easier to deal with. Winter is most brutal on those of us who are homeless.

I have a single female friend who lives at the Salvation Army Homeless shelter. I encourage her to take work as a live in babysitter or nanny. She is reluctant to do this.

Sometimes I think she LIKES to stay at the shelter where life is predictable and structured.

diz iz new news ta me nebr new a homless peson could have a home diz iz realy strange how det a home an not just a tempary place ta b for da time bein? i guese i should tell ya im 18 i have a concussion an da voices r annoyin but odr den dat im good so how do i do it? idk how long i b homless for but i know diz i wana home yes i got a dog oh yep got da dog from peeps givin out free puppies so i not alone an we made it yes an now im 18 i a adult an i wana know how ta do diz how ta go from havin just a dog an a place ta stay fr a lil while ta havein a rel home like da ones from da tv an story books at school ok i wait herz ta now da secrt

Sure. Rich people can help. Politicians, state/ and government employees can buy hundreds of buildings and rent rooms to struggling people homeless or in dangers of being homeless for 300-400 per month. that would be very helpful and kind...The question is are they going to do that?
Powerful people are the ones who can change the world for better.. struggling people want to help but cant help more than with words because they are too poor to improve living standards.