There's Help: Programs for the Struggling Homeless

While it may seem like there's no end to homelessness, there are many programs in every city and region that can help alleviate the problem. Struggling with homelessness is a serious issue, and the more information a homeless person has about where they can go for help, the more options they have available to take advantage of in a time of crisis. Below are some examples of programs for struggling homeless people:

 

Dialing 211

Dialing 211 in one of 39 states allows callers to get in touch with the right health and social service agencies and organizations in your area. A call placed with 211 is routed to a regional calling center, where people on the other line with give information about organizations that can help. The referral specialists access databases using 211 software to find resources both public and private resources in the area, such as health care, housing, job training, or anything else someone who is homeless may need.

Housing Services

The number one thing necessary for a homeless person is a safe place to sleep at night. Homeless shelters can provide immediate assistance for short periods of time, while transitional housing has affordable housing for limited periods of time and mandatory participation in counseling and job searching or training to lead to permanent housing. Permanent supportive housing offers services for disabled homeless or those suffering from serious mental illness and other health issues like AIDS or chronic substance abuse.

Other Support Services

In addition to housing, most homeless people need plenty of other kinds of support. Food banks and soup kitchens are available in nearly every region with a homeless shelter, along with donation centers that offer basic needs like food, clothing, hygienic materials, books, toys, and school supplies.

Health services are extremely vital for the homeless. Low-income families can learn more about government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare or other low-cost health insurance programs. Moreover, it is a sad fact that many of those living on the streets have been driven there by alcohol and drug use. Housing centers and other agencies can work to place homeless people in alcohol and drug prevention and rehabilitation programs, as well as counseling and support groups, to begin the process of “getting clean.”

To help the homeless move from shelters and transitional housing into more permanent, stable housing, there are plenty of work support programs that offer a wide range of job related services. Financial assistance is not enough – many need to either acquire job training or go through educational programs to attain the skills they need to compete in the work force. These programs also have people on hand to help with creating and building resumes, job searching, and transportation assistance so they can get to and from work.

The information is out there for homeless people to get connected and find the best solutions for their current situation, whether it's seeking help from a drug abuse support group or receiving a hot meal from a local soup kitchen. Calling 211 is the first step towards finding the information that can lead to struggling homeless get the help they need.