10 Actions You Can Take to End Homelessness

Homelessness is an American atrocity. Don't just be a bystander as millions of Americans struggle to meet their most basic needs. Here are 10 actions you can take today to help address this worsening symptom of inequality in America.

1. Defend homeless people's civil rights

Sign on to the National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project, a grassroots-level effort to combat growing trends affecting the homeless, such as increased criminalization and the recent increase in hate crimes and violent acts against the homeless. Here's how they define their mission: "By definition, people who are homeless live in public. A lack of housing forces them to do in public what everyone prefers to do in private. This indignity is one of many reasons we seek to end homelessness. Unfortunately, it has also become the battleground for the most fundamental defense of people who happen to be homeless: the right to exist." Get involved in one of their nine field offices across the country: Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, Portland, OR, Chicago, IL, Jeffersonville, IN, Cincinnati, OH, Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, and Washington, DC.

2. Respond to legislative alerts

Sign up for email updates from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Not only will you remain up-to-date on what's happening in Congress affecting homelessness and poverty nationally, you'll learn how to get involved when it's most critical. This powerful resource will provide you with all of the tools and information you'll need to contact your legislator about timely legislation.

3. Learn how to appropriately react to panhandlers

You're walking down the street. Someone asks you for money - and you're stuck. You feel for the person, you want to help, but you're unsure of how your charity will be spent. You don't want to encourage destructive behavior. How should you react?

Regardless of your response, you must assess each situation. Always look out for your own safety and avoid confrontation. That being said, here are some alternative responses to requests for money or change:

• Provide information about local organizations serving homeless people. Educate yourself about services offered by your community here. Many organizations provide brochures for people to distribute in response to requests for money.
• Carry coupons for food (such as a sandwich or cup of coffee) or pre-packaged food (granola bar or tuna).
• Even if you're not planning on giving money, food, or information, it's best to politely smile and acknowledge the individual. Nobody likes to be ignored.

4. Stock up someone's new home

Across the country, homeless individuals and families are moving out of shelters and into permanent, supported housing. You can help make a formerly homeless person's new home more welcoming by providing supplies to furnish and equip their home for habitation. Consider providing towels, pots, pans, bedsheets, utensils, lamps, shower liners, trash cans, etc. Contact your local service organization to learn more about turning "permanent housing" into a home.

5. Take advantage of teachable moments

Thanks to NCH for this great suggestion. They said it best:

When you see others behaving in insulting ways toward someone who is homeless, take advantage of the opportunity to share your compassionate and informed view on the difficult circumstances and obstacles facing people experiencing homelessness. You may be able to take the damaging arrow aimed at a person who is homeless and turn it into something constructive.

6. Find creative ways to collect supplies for a local organization

Shelters are in constant demand of supplies to distribute to homeless individuals. Large scale donation drives are great, but you can easily gather supplies more frequently by incorporating charity into your everyday life. For example, next time you have a party, ask everyone to bring a bar of soap or a tube of toothpaste. Buy an extra can of soup and jar of peanut butter every time you go grocery shopping, you'll be surprised how much you accumulate after just a few months. Be creative. Know that donations of goods in all quantities are useful and appreciated.

7. Help homeless kids be kids

Many children living in shelters don't have as much exposure to the simple pleasures in life that most kids experience. Work with your local shelters to sponsor a trip to a museum, baseball game, or park. Donate tickets to an event or aquarium so a family can attend together. Volunteer to organize host a game of whiffle-ball or barbecue at your local family shelter. Your time and energy will provide a welcome break from the stresses and challenges faced by homeless children.

8. Volunteer

You: talented, skilled, and compassionate. Why not lend your expertise and enthusiasm to improving your community? Shelters are always looking for dedicated volunteers to further their mission. Opportunities range from being a member of a board of directors to tutoring a homeless child. Planning a fundraising event to working as an overnight staff person at a shelter. The possibilities are endless. Contact your local service-provider, find out what they need, and determine how you can help.

9. Buy a street newspaper from your local vendor

According to the , "The benefits of street papers go far beyond economic opportunity. For the vendor, they offer a positive experience of self-help that breaks through the isolation that many homeless people experience. They offer the public a means to reach out with their dollar to help a homeless person directly and, over time, form a caring relationship." Find out if your community has a street newspaper; if they don't, why not consider starting one?

10. Think outside the box

There are no limits to the ways you can become involved in the fight to end homelessness in America. Whether it's connecting with an individual or family experiencing homelessness, becoming an informed and active advocate, volunteering regularly at an organization in your community, or raising awareness and funding, you can use your talents and concern to make a difference. Visit this blog often to learn about the creative ways people are using their talents to address homelessness in their communities.