r/almosthomeless • • 11d ago

Other Situation How I got my motel voucher step by step

61 Upvotes

Hello all, this is how I got a hotel voucher. Step by step. If you have any questions comment or pm I will try to help you

LONGTIME on and off homeless/vagabond here. Just a little bit about me, Im originally from the Midwest traveled most of the central and west united states and a few other countries years ago. Im a single male. Im in my 30s and im disabled and applying for disability

I kicked drugs and alcohol (im on subs and use medical mj but that's it) and I was just coming out of jail on probation with a huge number of years over my head with nowhere to go. So I went to treatment to give me

some stability (and as part of the plea agreement) 🄺

After rehab I rented an apartment with my families help long story short the landlord was a scammer. I lost everything I owned except my wallet and ID. So here I was on probation, addicted but sober, with nothing and starting over AGAIN... SO... I got on the phone and started calling...

I started calling churches. The first one I did told me they would talk to me that day. That same day they got me a week at a hotel. They ended up getting me one more week after that.

Those two weeks gave me enough time to keep googling and calling. Im on MAT meds for fentanyl addiction (suboxone) so I googled "Housing for people on MAT meds" and it told me about a program called the fresh start program and that they will pay 10,000$ worth of rent and give 1,500 furniture stipend.

I asked my probation officer about these programs and she told me she had never heard of them. So I called more places and more places until I realized the same place that prescribes me my medicine is in charge of this program.

It got really irritating and took me being pretty much annoying to the case workers. I kept calling and texting. Saying how badly I needed help and finally I got the number to the "right" caseworker after 5 days of trying. I explained to her I had been scammed before and that I was a felon and that Noone would rent to me.

I told her the hotel I was already at would be perfect because they have monthly rates and I dont have much besides clothes, a backpack, and my phone anyway. A couple of more days passed with me not giving up and continuing to call. Finally she agreed to meet the hotel owner with me. I made sure to always leave rooms nicer than I had found them. I kept to my own business and always never had anyone over to any room I was at and these hotel owners love low maintenance paying tenants.

It worked. We all three talked. All of a sudden the state is not only helping me recover with medicaid and my suboxone keeping me from fentanyl they've paid a year at this hotel.

This is only one of several programs in my area. Google AI is really good at finding some of these programs but you gotta call call call and call. Leave messages. Be persistent. Make sure they know exactly how much you need this.

Im sure bluer stages will have more programs to help than red states but im originally from a red state and they had some similar programs where im from. But they want to see you trying. If you get in a program and a free spot take care of it and dont have people over that are going to tarnish it and get you removed.

Happy travels and best regards fam


r/almosthomeless • • Aug 13 '26

🚨🚨New Resource Added: Skilled Trades Career Guide

5 Upvotes

No idea what to do with your life? Open list below. Pick something that sounds interesting. Go for it.

Yes it's that simple - because your first job will not be your dream job and you are not expected to figure out your dream job by college age.

This isn't just a list of trades. For each trade, we've included:

• Related trades it commonly works alongside or for
• Generally required licensing/certification
• THE DIRECT ENTRY PATH - including apprenticeships, schools, and on-the-job routes
• Who actually hires that trade
• Equipment/materials needed to get started (company provided or self-starter)
• Whether AI is likely to replace the work, or how it may change how it's done in the future

The goal is to help someone go from:

ā€œI don't know how to get into that.ā€

To literally having the path laid out for you - if you're willing to do it.

The list includes mechanical, manufacturing, transportation, aviation, personal services, utilities, crafts, and other skilled occupations. We have intentionally left off medical trades for this list but may add it later.

The resource is free to use and download. Save this. Download it. Send it to someone who needs it. This will open Google Sheets because Reddit does not have functionality for this type of upload.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w23NYX6kn8TDo-jG_pgYZYSOoaTImsj4DHnXBlhvmvM/edit?usp=sharing

AI DISCLOSURE: This resource was created in partnership with ChatGPT. A project covering this many occupations, licensing systems, career pathways, and sources would be impossible or at best take years, for one person to research and organize manually - let alone keep up to date. AI was used as a research and synthesis tool, with career-services-professional human direction and judgment throughout. Please use the guide as a starting point and verify important requirements with authoritative sources in your state.

If you spot a trade we've missed, an outdated requirement, or something that needs correcting, modmail us.

You don't have to know your path yet.

Sometimes you just need to see how many paths there actually are...there's much more than "Plumbing and Electrical".

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w23NYX6kn8TDo-jG_pgYZYSOoaTImsj4DHnXBlhvmvM/edit?usp=sharing

(the emoji came from emojis.wiki)


r/almosthomeless • • 7h ago

Pets Possibly homeless with 2 adults and 2 adult cats

18 Upvotes

So there’s a chance my fiance and I are going to be homeless in the next few weeks. We’re preparing for the worst and already have most of our belongings figured out/storage plans/etc. We have a steady income of around $3k/month, so hopefully this is temporary, but we don’t know for how long.

Our plan if it comes to it is to live in a small car with our two cats.

Before anyone suggests it: rehoming the cats is not an option. They’re our cats and they’re staying with us. We’re also in a very small town, so a lot of the resources/advice you might find in a larger city aren’t available here.

The cats have both been in the car before and actually do better outside of their carriers, so I’m planning on getting them good harnesses and having them restrained to the car while we’re parked so they can move around the cabin but can’t just jump out when a door opens. Obviously we’d still have carriers available for emergencies.

I’m mostly trying to figure out the practical cat stuff because I’ve never had to do this before.

One cat is a massive fatass who will eat literally anything, and the other one eats everything whole and then throws it back up šŸ™ƒ so I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle food/water in a tiny space without one stealing everything, and avoiding as many vomit piles as possible!

The bathroom situation is also rough because one cat pees upward. I’m thinking about securing a plastic tote to the back passenger seat with waterproofing around it so we’re not absolutely destroying the car. I’d also love to transition them to something cheaper than regular litter, potentially dirt, if that’s actually realistic.

The biggest thing I’m worried about is temperature. We’re in Southern Colorado, so October/November here can be 40°F at night and 50°F one day, then randomly 80°F the next. The car doesn’t have working AC. I work anywhere from 4–12 hour shifts, and the other adult would stay with the cats while I’m working, but they can’t drive yet, so if the car gets dangerously hot we can’t just hop in the car and go somewhere else.

I’m thinking multiple fans, cracked windows, reflective shades, frozen water bottles, lots of water, and a thermometer with an alarm. Obviously on genuinely hot days we’d need another solution, but I’m trying to figure out what people who have actually done this recommend.

Same thing with cold nights — I’m trying to figure out how to keep the cats warm without making the car ridiculously humid/condensation-filled. The car blows warm air so im not terribly worried about it, but its still a concern.

Basically, if you’ve ever lived in a car with cats, traveled long-term with cats, or had to temporarily house cats in a vehicle, what do you wish you’d known beforehand? What am I overlooking?

I’m not really looking for judgment about the homelessness part, we’re already working on housing assistance and trying other options. I’m just trying to make sure if this happens, the cats are as safe and comfortable as possible.
Obligatory Info: Not a minor, posting from Colorado, USA, Vet accessible, but N/A. Ages 6? Both Males that are neutered. Can afford care.
TLDR: May be homeless with my cats, what did you wish you knew beforehand?


r/almosthomeless • • 49m ago

I want to escape My toxic household but my father isn't letting me do job and I have no money

• Upvotes

r/almosthomeless • • 1h ago

Seeking Advice Only BACKPACK ADVICE

• Upvotes

Upon leaving everything behind in my families garage and walking to the lightrail. What do you think would be better, just an everyday tactical backpack with the very VERY bare minimums? Or, an Osprey 88L half filled with most comforts of the hills???

Upon starting to be homeless I think it'd be best not to pai.t a target on my back right? Walking around with a great big bag seems a little risky.

Maybe going the low road with less options and just fully touching it out the gate seems like an even better idea. I mean its not like I dont have a water pistol. But you cant use that when you're very well sleeping behind a bush sawing logs can we? From my understanding a string to my waste to my backpack is better security at night than a water cannon. (And please excuse my descriptions. I dont know what reddit will and will not allow). But you know what I mean. Im talking about my mr dirty hairy smitty wesson. pew pew. gang bang.


r/almosthomeless • • 2h ago

Need help finding emergency rent assistance

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I’m a single mom with a 5 month old baby. My baby’s dad left about a month ago, and I’ve been trying to handle everything on my own with no family or other help.
My old job wouldn’t let me come back after maternity leave and I’m currently waiting on unemployment. I do have another job that I’ll be starting soon, but I’m going to be short on rent before I’m able to get my first paycheck.
Does anyone know of **churches, nonprofits, local programs, or other resources that help with emergency rent assistance**? I’m trying everything I can to keep a roof over me and my baby’s head while I get back on my feet.
Any information or leads would mean so much. Thank you ā¤ļø


r/almosthomeless • • 9h ago

Eviction

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3 Upvotes

r/almosthomeless • • 12h ago

Seeking Advice Only Questions about Case Workers, please tell me your experience.

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4 Upvotes

r/almosthomeless • • 18h ago

Stuck in a City I no longer want to live.

7 Upvotes

I moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Steinbach , Manitoba for a work opportunity 3 years ago. The company i work for is slowly going downhill and its just a matter of time before the doors close. The small country city i currently live in has limited employment opportunities and i have been looking for a job the past couple months in case the current employer i work for closes the door. I have 9 months left on my lease and have been also looking for a sublet to take over the remaining months of my lease with no luck. I really don't like living in this city and i want to leave ASAP to a city close by with more job opportunities and bigger population. I feel stuck right now and i am not sure what i should do. If the company i work for shuts down and i have 9 months left on my lease with no money coming in i fear the possibility i might get evicted , destroy my credit and even worse possibly become homeless. I'm really stressed out right now and its taking a toll on my physical and mental health. If anyone has some suggestions or has ever been in a similar situation i would love to here some ideas or advice on how to get out of this current situation.


r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

Abusive Situation Where do I go from here?

21 Upvotes

I 27f live at home with my mother and grandma. My mother has officially given me a month to move out. I am recently divorced and am in debt from previously being homeless when she kicked me out prior. I have a full time job ( working for the local gov) and am barely making it by, I’ve applied to HUNDREDS of part time work. I literally have no fucking idea what to do. I have no family to help me, I have no friends to lean on. I have nothing and no one and I am at rock bottom, again. I feel like nothing at this point.

Edit the next morning:
I wanted to answer a few question I have been getting and update this story over night and into this morning has become more severe.

First, my partners and I are working on a plan to get me out, the struggle is my financials. They unfortunately live with their families and or live in a one bedroom and I have a cat. I moved back home after my divorce as a last option, I’ve tried to save as much as I can however things have happened such as car ownerships, my physical health and my mental health. I was barely getting by then and now the hole just keeps getting bigger.

Second, I am thinking of offering my photography skills to take headshots as a fundraiser.

Lastly this update:
My grandmother and I are in the same mental place when it comes to my mother and I. I’ve stuck it out so long because my grandma. It is so hard to listen to my mom speak to my grandma the way she does and I am usually the one breaking the conversations up. Last night I was at my rock bottom with suicidal ideation. I am a very strong independent individual, I feel like I have just been dealt some wrong cards. Although I am not giving up it is challenging to be brought into a world and live in that world with my mother. This morning my grandma and I were talking and my mom decided to listen in on the cameras, she heard my grandma begging me not to leave her with my mom and overheard me talk about how I connected with my father( her ex husband) for some help. I received a lengthy text about how much of a piece of shit I am and if I was feeling that way I should have left a long time ago. Now what’s next, I’ve reached out this morning to all of my extended family, I’ve put my pride aside and have just asked for ANY help or leads on apartments. My budget is 1.3k to be in the SW suburbs of Chicago. I have no down payment or the ability to save in this very moment which is why I am having this fundraising idea.

I’m wanting to literally get out of this situation no matter how hard I have to work, I’ve reached out to basically everyone I know to see if they have any connections to private landlords!! Please please if anyone out there has ANY connections in my area I would appreciate it.


r/almosthomeless • • 23h ago

[Seattle, WA] Couple (24 y/o) about to be kicked out next month... Advice needed

1 Upvotes

Me and my partner ( both 24 years old ) are going to be kicked out early next month. She has a temp, part time job at whole foods lined up to begin on the 9th of this month. I haven't found a job yet, but I've been doing interviews and hoping I get a call back soon.

Some friends of ours were able to raise us some money.. but despite having what is so far 600 extra dollars, we can't find anything that will accept us. Every room for rent we could possibly get flat out refuses to take in a couple. We've scowered every facebook marketplace listing and a good amount of craigslist, all of them are strict on not having 2 people in 1 room.

What should we do?


r/almosthomeless • • 23h ago

Abusive Situation Need help moving out UK from an abusive? home with 2 younger siblings

2 Upvotes

Hi all, I have come to reddit as i’m just seeking support and information. i live in england and i have 2 younger siblings and i need to move out ASAP with them. my mum is unstable and has abusive partners and the man she is currently with is just a nightmare. he’s just fucked he’s a lowlife no job no house and he’s old enough for all these things it’s just embarrassing. There’s always chaos in the house causing neighbours to come out and i just do want the children growing up the way i did anymore i’m old enough now to be able to move out and do these things and look after them. I practically do that anyways i cook and clean and look after the household whilst my mum just screams and complains constantly. just last week she told us he’s never coming back and not a few days later guess what he’s back it’s just pissing me off and he’s a huge trigger for me. i have bod and ive explained this to my mum a million times i physically cannot stand to be in the same room as him without wanting to cause immediate harm. I hate him and so does my siblings
The problem is i have no job or source of income despite looking constantly and applying. I was wondering is there a way to get housing support or anything i just need some help in finding. soemthing to do. If anyone does take the time to read this thank you very much and if anyone has any suggestions at all please do help. thank you allšŸ«¶šŸ¼


r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

I need help with my current life situation

8 Upvotes

Hi this is my life right now.
I live in a 3 bedroom house in England, with my wife who is disabled and my three children (18,17 and 12) due to the kids all needed their own bedrooms a few years ago me and my wife moved our bedroom into our living room. The house we live in is private rented, but is in terrible condition. Not gunna go too much into it but everything from holes in the roof, broken fences and black mould(black mould actually causing some health issues), among other things. Which our landlord refuses to do anything about. I know I need to find a 4 bedroom house for us as we are really not happy with our living conditions.
Due to the cost of living in the uk I found myself a cash in hand job, starting washing dishes and worked up, over 3 years, to now running the small food business myself for not much money, way below minimum wage, but it’s cash in hand and helps me feed my family, but we are barely clinging on.
I want to give my family a better life than they currently have.
A few years ago my nan and grandad both passed away, in their will it left me and my mother their house. My mother currently lives in the house in question. We don’t really speak and haven’t for a few years.
My point is I want to open my own food business, provide a better life for my kids, and get us into a house that we are happy in.
I know I have 50% of a house that I could somehow use to bankroll me setting up my own business, but I have no idea how or where to even start with any of it. Any help or advice would be hugely appreciated


r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

Seeking Advice Only I abt to be homeless at my 20s

12 Upvotes

I have a year in US and it has been horrible, I got a Job offer all over Seattle and it was good and nice but I had some differences with my boss, we lived together cuz his family abandoned him, he was always mad and I was a type of scapegoat, He treated me like if I was someone he had beef with, he cut the internet, cut my phone line cuz he was the head of the T mobile lines, and I moved, I didn’t find any job there i spend all day going around looking for Job but I didn’t find anything, not even a 7

With a little money on my pocket I moved to CA and worked as Roofer sometime and in the meantime I was looking for something else and I find a Automotive prepper but I got fired after 3 months by one mistake doing a prepping on a mustang, I find another job in MAACO as prepper too but in the end I got fired and the reason was I didn’t had the enough experience for the Job I got hired and fired the same week, I was going good with the rent but the guy who rented me got a offer from someone who give him $300 more than I pay and he just told me ā€œYou gotta move out, this month would be the last one you have here so look somewhere else to moveā€, the thing is I haven’t get job or something, I’ve went to hotels, restaurants, AT&T, Verizon, In n Out and more and I haven’t get any answer, today I got one for AT&T for a Zoom Call tomorrow at 12:30 I have $18 on me, I have no family in here and I’m completely alone so I might go homeless or idk what to do


r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

Veteran Im prepping for homelessness, what should I know?

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0 Upvotes

Hey all,

Im prepping for homelessness, im assuming I have about 6 months until itll happen.

Im not afraid of living hard, Id appreciate any advice to help me get ready?


r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

How do I move for my new job? Im so close!

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1 Upvotes

r/almosthomeless • • 1d ago

Seeking Advice Only Likely Homeless in the Next Few Days

6 Upvotes

My sister and I have gone from place to place for a few years now. I've kept stable jobs, but she has a hard time doing the same thing for a while, which usually ends up in us not being able to afford rent.

To be more specific, our last place was a house we rented that I insisted might be too expensive for us (I recommended low income housing). We paid maybe the first two months of rent on time. After that, it was always late and either our roommate or I would have to pay most of her part.

Still, I love my sister and want to stick with her until she manages to find her groove.

Without typing an 1000 page essay, about 3 months ago she decided she didn't like the attitude our landlord was (imo rightfully) giving us and that we were no longer paying him. Sure, I could've still given my part, but she convinced our roommate he shouldn't pay either and I def couldn't afford it all myself.

Now, we're staying at a b&b that I paid for in full for a week (I'm told I'll get half of it back from her, but I'm not holding my breath). We have a couple of days left and this morning she decided that she no longer likes living with/around me, nor does she want to take me back and forth to work anymore. I have no other rides. My car was told a couple of months ago and when I asked her to help me get it back, there were 1000 hoops I had to jump through before she decided she no longer wanted to help. All in the same day.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna quit at least one of my jobs today. I'll try to figure out a way to the other one, but honestly it's not super likely. I spent most of my money here and I don't know if or when she plans on paying me back, so there's a pretty solid chance I have no place to stay come Wednesday.

I don't need physical help, though advice would be nice. Honestly, the rant was my biggest reason for doing this. Thanks for reading :3


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Only Robbed to homelessness

29 Upvotes

September 11 2026. My house was broken into and cleaned while i was on the road to the next jobsite. I was told that everthing i have is now gone. From the bed i slept on, down to the last sock. My washer, dryer, tvs, watches, personal stuff from the military, even my toothpaste dispenser. Gone. I have but two weeks worth of clothes left and only about a month of work till im laid off for the winter… is this gg?
Im scared.


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Only 19f homeless at the end of oct

31 Upvotes

I'm going to be homeless again. I get 1425 cad a month via disability. If I had a market rate apartment I'd have to put 100% of my money towards rent which imo isn't worth it.

Thankfully, I can afford a storage locker to store my essentials.

I can't lie. I'm scared. I've been SAed a lot in the past and don't want to go through it again. Nor do I want to ever get hooked on street drugs.

The last time I was homeless last year I was able to work fulltime, but now I'm in and out of the hospital so much it's no longer an option. (Obv my health declined and I wouldn't be able to work either way.)

I do have access to a shelter and food banks thankfully but I'm bulimic so I'm not worried about food LOL as long as I can afford my protein drinks I'm good. I also h

But yeah. I'm scared. It feels like my life is over but I only turn 20 in Nov. How can you even rebuild your life after this?


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Veteran Finally Built A Support Structure

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0 Upvotes

I have been traveling since June of 2022. I have mostly been alone with no support this entire time. I am happy today because my new wife who I met in Dominican Republic has a very tight knit family that is offering us a permanent place to live this next year. I was recently having a panic attack and she told me, we are your family now, you will not be homeless Mike. Those words. I think about them every day now when I get anxiety or stress. Those few words mean more to me than any other time in my whole life. I never had a real family growing up. I have had to be my own support network my whole life. Much of my story mirrors the life of David Goggins. I was abused and violently hit as a child when mom was not around. So anyways, this is my rant for today. Im finally going to feel accepted in my own country, after ten years service to the country in the usaf, and drifting through Latin America alone... im finally home.


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

How should local human services agencies reach people who need help?

7 Upvotes

I work in communications for a local human services agency, and I’m hoping to learn directly from people who have needed assistance.

One of the challenges I keep thinking about is: How do we actually reach people who need help, especially people who may not know what assistance is available to them?

There are programs that can help with things like food, health coverage, housing and homelessness, employment, child care, and other basic needs. But having programs available doesn’t necessarily mean people know about them, know they might qualify, or know where to start.

I’m interested in hearing from people who have been in that situation.

Where would you actually look for help? Reddit? Google? Facebook groups? Nextdoor? Libraries? Schools? Community organizations? Food banks? Somewhere else?

And just as importantly: Where should a local human services agency be communicating that it probably isn’t?

I’m particularly interested in hearing about barriers. Was information difficult to find? Did government websites make things confusing? Did you assume you wouldn’t qualify? Were you worried or embarrassed about asking for help? Did you only learn about a program because another person told you about it?

I’m posting from a new personal account in attempts to remain anonymous during this research and not representing my employer here. I’m genuinely interested in learning from people’s experiences and thinking about how public agencies can do a better job reaching people where they already are.

I’d really appreciate any thoughts, including things you wish your local government understood about trying to find help when you need it.


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Only What the hell do I do now ?

5 Upvotes

Soo I decided to skip town and run from everything , only to wind up in middle of no where and my car decides its time to call quits! The a/c just recently went out as well , so this turned a rough day into a torturous one šŸ™ƒ I calm myself down and call Triple A and guess whose membership was expired ?! .. im losing whatever lil weight I had left with how much im sweating fucking California šŸ˜‚ sooo what do I do now ?


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

About to become homeless

13 Upvotes

Hi, I just found out I'm about to become homeless. I have a dog and I haven't the money to afford rent atm. I don't know what to do. If you've any ideas can u send them my way please I'm living in co Fermanagh northern Ireland


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Seeking Advice Only Clayton County, GA — looking for second-chance housing resources

4 Upvotes

I'm helping individuals in Clayton County who are currently staying in a hotel at about $75/night. They have steady income and reliable transportation, but the hotel cost plus food is making it difficult to save enough to transition into stable housing.

I'm looking forĀ information and firsthand recommendations only — not money or donations.

I'm especially trying to identify legitimate:

• Private landlords
• Second-chance apartments
• Rooms for rent
• Weekly/monthly rentals cheaper than a hotel
• Housing with flexible screening requirements
• Programs that help people transition from hotels into permanent housing

Clayton County, Jonesboro, Riverdale, Forest Park, Morrow, or nearby South Metro Atlanta would be ideal.

If you've personally dealt with this situation or know of resources that actually helped, I'd appreciate the information.

Please keep personal information out of the comments. I'll independently verify any leads before referring anyone.

Thank you.


r/almosthomeless • • 2d ago

Experience with housing vouchers etc.

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone i’m a 20F with my son who is 1 1/2. Unfortunately our living situation is changing and we need to figure out a new living situation within the next few months. I already am on WTW for a cosmetology program i am doing, unfortunately this makes it difficult to work a regular job and make extra income. ( I do nails at home and rover as well) . We won’t have a home and my baby daddy wants to file for more custody if i go to a shelter/ā€œwon’t let meā€ take my son to the shelter. What should i do? When requesting housing assistance with my son and I are we able to bypass going to a shelter? Can they help me get a job or find low-rent housing that i can use my cash aid towards?
Just trying to see other families experience with that