# What would you do if you suddenly became homeless? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501 "2022-01-27T17:28:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/21 "2022-01-27T19:43:55Z")
Do I get to keep my guitar? Because I’d return to busking and hope to make $50 in a couple of hours, which I used to do when I was young and cuter. Would take myself to government offices in the hope of getting some relief and leads on cheap shelter. Sleeping outdoors is no problem; getting up after, that’s huge and achy. If I may presume I could grab some truncated version of my emergency go-bad, would have tarp, rope, blanket, water, food bars, really awful tasting food bars. After that, I’m toast. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/22 "2022-01-27T19:44:02Z")
I was homeless few years ago. Went to a shelter for a few months, got a job which let me stay at a motel half the month and a friend’s the other. That made it impossible to save. Finally housing came through. Slept a few nights at a bus shelter. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/23 "2022-01-27T19:52:05Z")
Do I still have my credit card or any money at all? Do I still have my vacant block of land? Am I caring for myself only or do I still have kids and partner? For immediate shelter I would sleep in my car. If I could, I would buy some bedding that fits in the back (station wagon). If I don’t have any money for this, I would sell my guitars and keyboard. My first thought for work would be to go back to what I was doing second half of last year, sorting freight for a courier company. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/24 "2022-01-27T19:54:43Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > My first thought for work would be to go back to what I was doing second half of last year, sorting freight for a courier company. Would there be an application form to fill out, and would they require a home address? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/25 "2022-01-27T19:56:05Z")
They already have my details from working with them previously. If they needed it again I’d just give them the same details again. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/26 "2022-01-27T19:56:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I want to thank those who are treating the question of sudden homelessness seriously, and not either thinking of it as a joke or a story problem with creative workarounds. I know my post about buying a van may have come across as a bit flippant, and yes, the part about living “down by the river” was a joke, but the rest was serious. Assuming I still had my car and my camping gear, I’d trade the car for a van and live in it. And maybe adopt a nomadic lifestyle like Frances McDormand’s character in _Nomadland_. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are fast food jobs available if you don’t have an actual address? I was wondering the same thing about applying for government assistance. If you don’t have an address for them to send correspondence to, how exactly do you get your assistance? ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/27 "2022-01-27T19:58:18Z")
I have a lot of clients who find themselves suddenly homeless, sometimes with no one who can take them in. Those who have cars usually sleep in them. Fast food joints have toilets, and sometimes there’s a friend or relative who will let them come in for a shower even if they can’t stay there. Those who don’t have cars sometimes go to shelters, but some feel safer on the streets. There are a lot of tent encampments almost everywhere in LA. Though it’s still possible to die of exposure, the climate here is mild enough that other people are usually a bigger threat than the elements. ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/28 "2022-01-27T20:03:58Z")
There are post offices that “sell” addresses. Yes, they’re just post office boxes, but they write to address to look like a real physical address. So PO Box #1 would become 123 John Smith Lane, Unit 001 (as an example). I think this would be easier for Dopers because we could actually look this up, or ask other Dopers for this info. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/29 "2022-01-27T20:05:34Z")
What would a simple Google map search turn up for such an address? ---
**Author:** ![Kimera757](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimera757/32/3765_2.png) [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/30 "2022-01-27T20:09:41Z")
> **[Mailbox Services](https://www.theupsstore.ca/services/mailboxes/)** > > The UPS Store Canada offers mailbox rentals, mail forwarding and package or parcel receiving for you or your business, all at a real street address. The UPS Store #191 [Visit Website](http://theupsstore.ca/191) 427 Princess St Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5S9 Phone: 613-549-4224 [store191@theupsstore.ca](mailto:store191@theupsstore.ca) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=427+Princess+St%3Cbr%3EKingston,+Ontario,+K7L+5S9)[Zoom here](https://www.theupsstore.ca/store-finder/#) This was just one example. This doesn’t look like Google, but their store finder. (Also I just noticed this was in Canada. I chose New York as an example!) So I looked at Google and it’s obviously some sort of business address. It listed the most common businesses there, including UPS. It might seem like a condo complex with a business section for the lower floors. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/31 "2022-01-27T20:24:59Z")
The kids are on their own so: Put everything I treasure in storage at a family’s place and sell/give away the rest. Sell my cars. Put on my hiking boots and fill my duffel bag with changes of clothes and toiletries. Start walking east picking up odd jobs that pay me enough to make it to the next place Somehow make it over the oceans eastward. If and when I make it back to Denver, I’ll figure out my next move. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/32 "2022-01-27T20:41:16Z")
Go to a shelter and use their computer to 1. find a WOOFing or similar community with reach of a ride share or bus ticket. Grow organic vegetables and live in the dorm. or 1. make aliyah and become an Israeli. Work on a kibbutz if nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/33 "2022-01-27T20:47:50Z")
Another work option would be fruit picking. New Zealand has a shortage of fruit pickers at the moment and accomodation is often included in the arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/34 "2022-01-27T20:48:44Z")
Sounds feasible. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/35 "2022-01-27T21:29:02Z")
Truly, I can’t imagine that _no_ friend or relative would take me in. I am lucky. But if that were the case… If eventual eviction were unavoidable but hadn’t happened yet, as soon as I saw the writing on the wall I’d start trying _very_ hard to find work as a live-in nanny or housekeeper while I still had a home address for the applications. I’m middle-aged and would have no references, but if I came up with a good story and were willing to work for basically room and board (and moving expenses, if applicable) you never know. If that didn’t work out in time, I have no idea. Are there other live-in jobs? Maybe there are nonprofits that might be willing to give me work in exchange for room and board…? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/36 "2022-01-27T21:31:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What do you do in the next few days, weeks, months etc.? I have plenty of camping gear. I try to find a job while living in a state campsite perhaps using the Salvation Army or some other organization as an address. I’m not liking my long term prospects though. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/37 "2022-01-27T21:37:48Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I try to find a job while living in a state campsite perhaps using the Salvation Army or some other organization as an address. Even back in the 80’s when I lived on the street, using such organizations as “home addresses” got your application round-filed immediately, because businesses had a printed list with those addresses highlighted. I imagine that with Google maps and the like, the simplest of background checks will separate real addresses from organizations and mail service places. Even fast food places will go through _that_ much effort. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/38 "2022-01-27T21:43:24Z")
Are you specifically interested in how to get around not having a physical mailing address or is that just something emerging from the answers we are giving? ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/39 "2022-01-27T21:47:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Would there be an application form to fill out, and would they require a home address? I have been involved in the hiring process at several businesses and I’ve never heard of anyone checking up on an applicant’s address. Nobody has time for that. Of course, I’ve only worked in two states so have no idea if our hiring practices are standard everywhere. > [@WildaBeast](#): > > I was wondering the same thing about applying for government assistance. If you don’t have an address for them to send correspondence to, how exactly do you get your assistance? As a retired food stamp worker in Arizona I can answer this question for our state. The only time we ever checked someone’s physical address is in cases of suspected fraud. If you don’t have a physical address or a PO box, General Delivery is still a free service at the post office. Max food stamps was 192 per person when I retired, I understand it’s gone up a little since then. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501/40 "2022-01-27T21:48:01Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Are you specifically interested in how to get around not having a physical mailing address or is that just something emerging from the answers we are giving? I am interested in finding out if not having an actual physical address decreases the chances of an application being accepted nowadays, because it certainly did back when I was homeless. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-you-suddenly-became-homeless/958501.md?page=3)