Street Smarts
The best way to stay warm when sleeping outside in the winter.
What is layering clothes and using cardboard as insulation?
This type of shelter operates overnight but typically requires leaving in the morning.
What is an emergency shelter?
Many grocery stores throw out edible food into these, which some people search through.
What are dumpsters?
Most homeless people are stereotyped to be this way, even though this is not true.
What is unemployed?
The U.S. government provides this to those without income who qualify.
What is welfare (or SSI/SSDI)?
This common public location offers air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter, making it a popular refuge.
What is a library?
Squatting in abandoned buildings is also called this.
What is urban camping?
This type of food assistance program gives monthly funds for groceries.
What is SNAP (food stamps)?
This common belief about giving money to panhandlers is mostly a myth.
What is "they'll just buy drugs and alcohol"?
This type of healthcare facility provides free medical services.
What is a free clinic?
If you need to clean up but don't have access to a shelter, this facility often provides showers for a small fee.
What is a gym?
Many people sleep on these forms of public transport overnight to stay warm.
What are buses or trains?
Many fast-food restaurants will give these out for free if free if you ask.
What are water cups?
Shelters almost never have enough room, even though people say they do, causing this to happen.
What is overcrowding?
If you are homeless and need to receive mail, you can set up a P.O. Box or use this service at a shelter.
What is general delivery?
Many cities make this illegal, even though it is often necessary for survival.
What is panhandling or sleeping in public?
This legal term refers to when the police remove homeless people from certain area.
What is a sweep or eviction?
This national organization serves free meals to those in need.
What is The Salvation Army?
This law, which prevents people from sleeping in public, has been challenged in courts as unconstitutional.
What are anti-camping ordinances?
This amendment protects people from being arrested just for being homeless.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
What are aluminum cans?
This major West Coast city has the highest unsheltered homeless population in the U.S.
What is Los Angeles?
The best time to find discarded but fresh food is right after this happens.
What is closing time?
Contrary to popular belief, many homeless people become unhoused because of this rather than addiction
What is a lack of affordable housing?
This federal department oversees homeless assistance programs.