How to Be Homeless: A Survivor's Guide

-Firenze: July 17, 2001

Tip #1 - Eat anything.

Tip #2 - Get in line, but behave. If you are violent or drunk at one of the soup kitchens, while some will give you a meal to go, you can pretty much count on being forced to leave.

Tip #3 - Find a marketplace. Areas with high tourist traffic are generally more fruitful. Ask politely, and don't pursue. These are things which are likely to attract unwanted attention from the police.

Tip #4 - Save your money. If you were lucky enough to be able to keep a bank account, make sure it's one that has no minimum balance requirement, and if it does, have the bank change it's status to one that doesn't. Have any social security or welfare checks be routed to that account via direct deposit. That way it won't matter where you live, you still will get your money. Have your bank statements be sent to a P.O. Box, or if the bank requires a street address, some Mailboxes Etc. provide actual street addresses. You can also use a mail forwarding service such as The Mail Service Center, which will provide you with a Los Angeles street address and forward your mail to whatever address you list. Also spend your money on things that give you long term benefits, like a hotel room where you can shower up and get your clothes cleaned and sleep in a real bed.

Tip #5 - Maintain a tidy and sturdy shopping cart. Line the cart with cardboard to keep things from falling out, and especially in wet cities like Seattle, if possible, find a tarp to keep your bedding and change of clothes dry. Tie the tarp down with rope so it doesn't blow off.

Tip #6 - Build your bed with good padding and keep it safe from cold drafts. Torticollis, a condition where the neck is twisted up, is very painful and can last for a while without help.

Tip #7 - Sleep in doorways or try your luck in the lottery. Things often get stolen in shelters. The overnight shelters are based on a lottery system. People are required to sign up before the shelter opens and then numbers are drawn. It it rare to win the lottery and is stressful and frustrating. Some merchants will allow you to sleep in their doorways as long as you clean up after yourself.

Tip #8 - Respect the police. Often the only time they will take harsh action is if you complain or insult them. If they tell you to move on, move on. You can always go back at a later time.

Tip #9 - Keep clean. Try to visit a shower facility once or twice a week. Lack of hygiene can cause flea bites from unwashed clothes, itchy, uncomfortable, sweaty feet that lead to athletes foot and other fungal irritations - even the dye in shoes can cause irritation to the skin which can result in sores that if left untreated can actually be deadly. Additional problems are lice, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections and bronchitis, colds that won't go away, and even tuberculosis. You can get also abscess sores from injecting needles, so it goes without saying that if you are using, get clean needles from health organizations that offer them, and face your addiction. Try to stop. Another problem are injuries from falling or being beaten up. Even if you have no access to medicine, find clean water. Go to a building with a public drinking fountain, fill a canister with it and leave. Find someplace to sit down and clean your wounds. Water is your first line of defense from infection. If you have any clean cloth use it to wrap the wound, don't simply put your dirty clothing over it, or you will have defeated the purpose of washing it. Change and clean the dressing as much as possible.