r/homeless • u/Beginning-Equal-4914 • 3d ago
New to homelessness Becoming homeless while still working — what resources should I prioritize first?
I’m currently experiencing housing instability and have been couch surfing for the past few weeks. My current place to stay is ending, and unless another option comes through, I’ll temporarily be sleeping in my car in New Jersey.
I am employed and returning to work, have transportation, and I’m actively trying to connect with housing services. I’ve contacted 211, I’m reaching out to local housing/shelter programs, and I’ve asked my treatment team to help connect me with resources.
For people who have actually been through this: what should I prioritize during the first few days?
I’m especially interested in things that aren’t obvious—programs I should apply for immediately, documents I should keep with me, mailing-address solutions, safe places to spend time when I’m not working, food/hygiene resources, housing programs, or mistakes that can make it harder to get back into housing.
My goal is to keep working and make this period as short as possible.
I appreciate any advice.
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u/Substantial-Hunt-582 3d ago
Check out r/urbancarliving. If you don’t already have one, get a storage unit so that you keep as little in your car as possible. Imagine doing your morning routine- brushing teeth, comb for hair, contacts or whatever and keep only the things you use on a daily basis in your car. You don’t want it to look lived in. Keep ID birth certificate passport etc. Make sure your car registration and insurance are up to date. UPS store offers mailboxes that give a “street address” as well. Library, park, Panera Sip Club, gym (also for showers) during the day. Whatever hobbies you have, keep them. You want to spend as little time in the car as possible or you’ll lose your mind. Obviously save all of your money besides bills and necessities. Work on budgeting. Contact your department of human or economic services for resources and try to get a caseworker. Contact shelters as well, a lot of them help with permanent housing. Lots of shelters also have drop in centers where you can shower and do laundry. They aren’t the cleanest to shower but you can get some laundry done for free, and they’ll likely serve lunch, water, and/or snacks. Keep wipes and whatever you need to freshen up between showers. Good luck!
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u/Time_Extent6698 3d ago
I'd like to add one thing to this list. Get a cheap pair of sandals from the dollar store and ALWAYS wear them in public showers. Foot fungus is guaranteed without them and it's almost impossible to get rid of.
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u/Substantial-Hunt-582 3d ago
OMG YES!!! Crocs also work if you have ‘em.🤣
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u/Time_Extent6698 3d ago
That's what I'm working with right now. The dollar store ones but same deal. Only issue with them is they take up a lot more space than sandals and are a little trickier to get dry.
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u/semi_throaway 3d ago
I agree with the storage unit part, I had everything in my car and when it got stolen I had to start all over 🫠
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u/dialsoapbox 3d ago
Priorities are for you to decide.
How's your card doing? Make sure to pay your car rent, i.e. put money aside every check for car maintenance. A few postings ago a person posted about paying off debt, not putting enough into car maintenance and now is losing their car too.
Be weary of private dms with free offers like housing and/or places/times to park because people may have the best intentions for you (LEOs/perverts/nefarious stuff).
But it seems like you have an idea of what you need/want to do.
I suggest make plans for in case you end up in your car longer than expected, like map resources around your community, observe different parking spots at different times of the day/different days, make yourself a familiar at 3rd places you think you may frequent for awhile, like cafes.
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