Ask Lemmy

Unconditional shelter.

better laws.

if houses/apartments are expensive the poor lose first so ensure it is legal to build tiny houses, shared bathroom/kitchen apartments... ensure there isn't so much paperwork that only expensive places can apply. Be careful about tenat rights - they are needed but don't lost sight of landlord rights in the process.

some are homeless because society has left no optians - things are getting better but there are still some out there that can't be anything else because if they get a job their ex takes all they earn anyway.

Unfortunantly the problem is hard. we know from painful experience that the abuse in institutions is often so bad risking freezing to death is the more human option. Be careful that what you propose / support isn't also worse.

I needed a place to stay where I could sleep, eat, bathe, and apply for jobs (so, internet). I also needed rides to go check out a few cars before I had one of my own. And a place to store a few boxes of belongings.

Physical items would not have helped me in any way (unless you include housing and a car in that--where I was had no public transit).

Edit: There was a very brief period where access to a washer/dryer would have been amazing. Failing that, new underwear and socks.

Socks. Underwear. For women, hygiene products.

When I was text book definition homeless (I slept on couches for half a year during college), all I wanted was cheap rent. I feel like we tend to only focus on the homeless we see with our eyes, and not the homeless families out there living in shelters.

Homes. Things like the Tiny Homes project make a huge difference to peoples ability to get back on their feet and access other support channels

Therapy. Many of the homeless have mental illness and/or substance dependency.

If you are able to do a load of laundry for them, that's a huge help.

Back when I could afford it, I gave out care packages with foods that could keep without refrigeration and didn't have to be cooked, basic first-aid supplies, reading material, warm socks, and 2 joints. I'd also want to include hygene products but other than women specific needs and deordorant, there's not much in the way I could think of that could work even if they don't have access to water.

Food, beer, and weed. Not necessarily in that order. We can provide for ourselves pretty well. But those three definitely help with day to day life quality.