What should I do first if I cannot stay where I live?

Call 211 to connect to emergency shelter and transitional housing based on your specific situation and location. If fleeing violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 instead for confidential, specifically equipped shelter.

Can my child stay at the same school if we lose our housing?

Yes. The McKinney-Vento Act requires every school district to have a homeless liaison who can arrange transportation to keep children at their current school and waive enrollment paperwork requirements.

Do I need a permanent address to apply for benefits?

No. Housing instability often makes households newly eligible for SNAP, Medicaid, or other assistance, and you do not need a permanent address to apply. Screen at Benefits.gov.

What does a case manager do?

Many shelters and homeless services organizations assign a case manager who helps navigate housing applications, benefits, and the path to permanent housing, including rapid rehousing programs that provide short-term rental assistance.

Disruptions Checklist

When You Cannot Stay Where You Live Checklist. Find tonight’s shelter, then build toward stable housing.

You cannot stay where you live tonight. This checklist covers finding shelter in the first 24 hours, stabilizing the immediate situation over the following three days, and building toward stable housing over the first month. Asking for help here is not a failure. It is what capable households do when circumstances require it.

211

for emergency shelter and local resources

1-800-799-7233

National Domestic Violence Hotline

SHELTER + ZIP

text to 43362 for the Red Cross shelter map

permanent address needed to apply for benefits

Phase 1

First 24 Hours.

Finding shelter tonight comes first. Everything else can wait until that is settled.

Tonight

Call 211 for emergency shelter and transitional housing
Call the Domestic Violence Hotline instead if fleeing violence
Check the Red Cross shelter map if a disaster is involved
Reach out to your network for a few nights, if available
Gather identity documents, medications, and essentials if there is time

Phase 2

First 72 Hours.

School enrollment rights, identity documents, and case management all stabilize the situation quickly once contacted.

School and ID

Contact the school district's homeless liaison
Replace lost identity documents through shelter or 211 support

Support

Ask about a case manager for housing and benefits navigation
Secure belongings not needed daily

Benefits

Apply for benefits you may now qualify for
Apply for FEMA assistance if disaster-caused

Phase 3

First 30 Days.

A case manager and rental assistance programs build the path from shelter toward the next stable place.

The Search

Work with your case manager on the housing search
Maintain the routine that is possible, not perfect consistency

Rental Assistance

Apply for rental assistance and Section 8 vouchers

Mail and Records

Keep mail and communication accessible during the transition

Phase 4

What This Could Break Next.

Employment, children, food, and health access all feel this. Each is preventable with one action.

Work and Children

Communicate proactively with your employer
Keep children informed and loop in the school counselor

Health and Medications

Keep medications with you and confirm pharmacy access

My Readiness

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