How to Help the Homeless

The Homeless Action Toolkit: get involved to change your community and the world

There are lots of other ways to help homeless people. Donating food and clothing to homeless shelters is a great way to help. You could also volunteer your time with such an organization. Educate yourself and others about homelessness and share facts about homelessness with others. Use letters to your local newspaper, blog posts, and social media to spread the word about how homelessness is a problem and what others can do to help.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Supporting Nonprofit Organizations

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1
Donate money. The easiest way to help the homeless is to donate your money to a nonprofit whose mission is to serve the homeless. This ensures that social workers and professionals who best understand how to help the homeless will have the resources necessary to do their important work.
- Consider leaving a donation to an organization that supports the homeless in your will.^{[1]XResearch source}
- You can also donate to local churches, temples, mosques, and other religious institutions that offer help to the homeless.
2
Donate items. Donating your used or new items is another easy way to help. Donate these items to local organizations that house the homeless or otherwise support them. Alternately, you could provide such things to your local homeless population directly. The best items to donate include:^{[2]XResearch source}
- Winter weather clothing (such as hats, mittens, coats, and boots)
- New underwear and socks
- Travel-sized hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, etc.)
- Professional clothing (a hurdle to overcoming homelessness is looking presentable at job interviews)
- First aid items (such as Neosporin, Band-Aids, antibacterial cream, and hand sanitizer)
- Secondary medical items (such as sunscreen, heavy duty lotions like Bag Balm, allergy medication, and tissues)
- Bus passes (great for helping them get to job interviews)
- Linens (i.e. twin sheets, towels, pillows and pillow cases)
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3
Provide food. One of the constant struggles of homelessness is finding enough to eat. Donate canned or boxed goods to your local soup kitchen or homeless shelter.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Before making your donation, contact the homeless organization and find out which items they need most.
- Alternately, you could buy (or make) lunch for a homeless person you encounter on the street.
4
Donate recreational items. In addition to practical items like clothes and hygiene products, you might want to provide toys for the children of homeless families. Homeless children often have few possessions of any kind, and may not have any toys at all. For adults, you might want to donate books, magazines, or other reading materials.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Donating toys is an especially good idea around the holidays, when homeless kids often have few gifts to look forward to.
5
Volunteer your time. If you cannot donate money or goods, sign up to work with a homeless organization. The sort of volunteer opportunities available to you will vary depending on the organization you contact and the organization’s needs. You might be able to:^{[5]XResearch source}
- Pack boxes with foods for distribution to homeless people
- Serve hot food at a soup kitchen
- Help homeless people transition to working a job and paying bills
- Train homeless people in a skill like gardening or playing an instrument
- Use your skill set to assist the homeless in other ways (for instance, by giving homeless people free haircuts or tutoring homeless kids)

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Creating Awareness

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1
Educate others about homelessness. Many people have trouble sympathizing with homeless people because of the many negative stereotypes that the homeless population is burdened with. Educating others could be as simple as correcting a friend or coworker about a homeless stereotype they express, or it could be talking with your local city or county politicians about the problems homeless people face.
- If you have children, start by educating them. If you volunteer for an organization that supports the homeless, ask if you can take your child along so that they can see firsthand the hardships of homelessness.
Many people are unaware that there are homeless shelters in their communities. Contact your local newspaper, religious institution, and the editors of local civic group newsletters and ask them if they would consider running a weekly or monthly listing of local services available to the homeless. That way, more people will know about and utilize these services.
Writing letters to the editor of your local paper can help promote greater awareness and understanding of homelessness in your area. You could also write to editors of national papers or publications. Share some information about the number of homeless people in your area (or country, if you’re writing to a national publication). Explain the different reasons why people become homeless. End by suggesting ways that people in your region or nation could help the homeless.
4
Start a blog about homelessness. Instead of (or in addition to) writing to established publications about homelessness, start a blog of your own to create awareness. Blogs are a great platform for you to share your understanding of homelessness and encourage people to help. Promote your blog via social media and encourage others to provide feedback.
- Incorporate video and photos on your blog as well as text.
5
Organize a clothing or food drive. One of the best ways to help the homeless and create awareness about homelessness in your community is to organize a collection for food and/or clothes. Talk to local businesses, schools and colleges, and religious institutions about leaving a bin or large box in or near their foyer. Place a large sign on the bin identifying the purpose of the drive and list the items that are most needed.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Advertise the food or clothing drive by putting up flyers around town and by asking your local newspaper to place a notice about the drive in upcoming editions.
- Restaurants are good places to host food or clothing drive bins, since they generate a lot of foot traffic. People will remember to bring along some canned or boxed food next time they visit.
- If you’re organizing the drive on behalf of or in conjunction with a particular nonprofit that supports the homeless population, ask them ahead of time what sort of foods or clothing items you should encourage people to donate. Include this information on the sign you attach to your bins or boxes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Political Activism

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Mental health problems can be both a cause and an effect of homelessness. One of the best ways to make a difference for homeless people is to encourage and support access to free or low-cost mental health services. Support local mental health clinics and write to politicians about their importance.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Another problem that exacerbates homelessness in many cities is the lack of affordable housing. Support ballot initiatives for affordable housing and write to local housing organizations to help them understand the need. Speak out against new housing developments which are not affordable.^{[8]XResearch source}
Basic medical care is also a huge problem for homeless people. They are more prone to serious health problems but are stuck in a position where they cannot afford help. Support local free or low-cost clinics, and work on getting more free clinics in your city.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Day shelters are another service which can help homeless people get back on their feet. These shelters give homeless people a safe place to stay and store their things. Day shelters are uncommon, so if your city doesn't have one, talk to your local city councilors or mayor about establishing one.
Local libraries are a huge resource for homeless people. They make job searching tools, such as the internet, free and available for the homeless. They are also a source of important information, and often host programs that can help people learn the skills necessary to get a job.^{[10]XResearch source}
In many places, being homeless can get you arrested. When homeless people are arrested, it makes it even harder for them to get back on their feet. To help the homeless, vote against measures that criminalize homelessness, and against politicians that support such measures.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Taking Direct Action

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1
Create jobs. If you're in a position where you can give a homeless person a job, do it! Whether it's offering to hire and train someone in a position like a secretary or file clerk, or just letting them do odd jobs like mowing your lawn, this can really make a huge difference for a homeless person.
- Be sure, however, that you don't take advantage of them. Pay homeless people a reasonable and fair amount of money.
Many homeless people rely on the small return they get on bottles and cans from recycling centers to purchase food or other necessities. If you live in an area that supports this sort of recycling program, pile all your cans and bottles in a bag. Ask local homeless individuals if they would be interested in taking your recyclables.^{[11]XResearch source}
In some areas, homeless people are paid to sell a newspaper that advocates for the homeless. In other areas, businesses might partner with nonprofits in order to employ the homeless. Support these businesses and buy the products or services offered by the homeless population.
4
Direct homeless people to services that could help. Some people may not know how to locate help and therefore never get any. If you see a homeless person, you could ask them if they need help. If they say they do, ask them if they’ve been to the local homeless shelter. If they have not and are interested in going, provide them with directions.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Many homeless organizations have printable maps or resource lists that you could print and give to the homeless person in question.
- Showing that you care in this way is a great way to help homeless people feel that they matter.
5
Contact an organization that helps homeless people. If you see homeless people on the streets and don’t want to approach them yourself, call a local nonprofit that helps the homeless. They might be able to send someone out to talk to the homeless person in question and help them along the process of getting back on their feet.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Be sure to relay information about the person’s exact location, their manner of dress, and their appearance.
6
Call emergency services. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching the homeless individual and cannot get through to your local nonprofit that serves the homeless population, contact emergency services. Depending on the situation emergency services will then direct proper resources to the situation. They will send an outreach team to help the person and find out more about their condition. Additionally, call emergency services if you see a homeless person who is:^{[14]XResearch source}
- Mentally ill and struggling on the street
- Having a psychotic episode
- A danger to themselves or others
- Intoxicated
- In danger because of weather conditions
- Engaging in unlawful drug activity. Request police intervention for crime in progress.^{[15]XResearch source}

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Seeing Homeless People as Individuals

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There is a lot of literature on homelessness that can help you better understand the causes and impacts of homeless on both individuals and society. By improving your understanding of homelessness, you’ll be able to identify more ways to help the homeless and educate others about the problem. You could also watch documentary films about homelessness or attend lectures on the topic.^{[16]XResearch source}
2
Identify and dispel stereotypes. Many people carry around certain preconceived notions about what homeless people are like and why they are homeless. For instance, some people think the homeless are only on the streets because of their own poor choices. In fact, this is often untrue. Look for stereotypes in the thinking of others, and gently correct them when you hear uninformed statements about the homeless.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Continually evaluate your own ideas about homelessness and keep an open mind.
Homeless people deserve the same level of courtesy and consideration as anyone else. Treat them with the same level of kindness that you afford your friends and coworkers.^{[18]XResearch source}
The homeless often feel invisible, which can hurt their self-confidence and general attitude. Smile at homeless people when you pass them and speak to them with kindness if you have the opportunity. Simply smiling at someone or saying hello can often make their day.^{[19]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
How can we spread awareness about homelessness?
Dan Bodner
Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert
Dan Bodner is a Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert and the CEO & Founder of QuickHaven Transitional Shelters. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in executive leadership, product development, and innovation, which have helped him develop modular tiny homes to improve the lives of those affected by homelessness. Dan earned a BA from Vassar College and an MS from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dan Bodner
Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert
Expert Answer
Make sure that you're spreading truthful information instead of misconceptions. A lot of people assume that all homeless people are the same, which couldn't be further from the truth. Some people are more functional than others, and not every solution to homelessness will work for every type of homeless person.
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What do homeless people need most?
Dan Bodner
Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert
Dan Bodner is a Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert and the CEO & Founder of QuickHaven Transitional Shelters. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in executive leadership, product development, and innovation, which have helped him develop modular tiny homes to improve the lives of those affected by homelessness. Dan earned a BA from Vassar College and an MS from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dan Bodner
Transitional Shelter & Homelessness Expert
Expert Answer
Everyone needs a purpose in life, including homeless people. If you give a homeless person everything they need, that isn't necessarily going to be a fix. If you give them a purpose (like a job), a lot of other things in their life can come together as they start to feel some self-respect.
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What if I'm younger than a teenager? Could I still be able to help?
Community Answer
It depends on how much younger, but there is no real age limit. Find something small that you're able to do, possibly with parental assistance.
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You may also be interested in taking steps to end Hunger in the United States.
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Encourage people to donate items to a food/donation drive by saying, "The class that gets the most donations will earn a pizza party!" This will get people motivated to help out.
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Warnings

Don't put yourself in danger. When in doubt, let professionals help.
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Always go with another person when passing out food etc. Never do this alone.
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Be wary giving money directly to homeless people. Giving them food, drink, and donating money to charities that support the poor is a far better option.^{[20]XResearch source}
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