How to Find Temporary Housing

What happens when you need to leave your home because of a natural disaster? Or where do you and your family go if, like so many people today, you find you can no longer afford to stay in your home? Where can you find temporary housing? In these terrifying times, here are some suggestions that should at least give you some options or point you in the direction of help to avoid homelessness. With a bit of effort you can find temporary housing until you can get on your feet again.

Instructions

• 1

  The first and most preferable way to find temporary shelter is to ask for help from friends and family. Store whatever possessions you have and find temporary shelter. If you stay with friends or family, even if it is hard for your pride, remember they are sacrificing their private space to help you out, so be as helpful and considerate a guest as you can be, and make finding your own independent quarters your first priority.

• 2

  Call your state, county and city for programs that might help you find temporary housing. Department of Health and Human Services, Social Services, Public Assistance, Health and Human Services, Emergency Assistance Programs and State Rental Allowance Programs are good places to start.

• 3

  Go to your local church, temple or other place of worship. Often you can find references to places, organizations or individuals who are willing to help.

• 4

  Seek out non-profit organizations for help. Volunteers of America, the American Red Cross, and Housinghelp.org. are just a few.

• 5

  Try the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), HUD, (links listed below), and send for the Federal Government Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's Renter's Kit.

• 6

  If you have worked with the military, go to your local veterans center for more information.

• 7

  Please check the Additional Resources below for a partial list of places that can help you find temporary housing. If you can get yourself settled enough to begin anew, you really can re-create your life again. And maybe your new life will even turn out to be better than the old one. But before you can restructure your life, give yourself a home base to work from. Hopefully, some of the above suggestions or the links below will help you to take the first steps in finding the temporary housing you'll need.