Preventing Age 50+ Homelessness 🏡

[Anonymous]

💥This discussion was created on Saturday - April 17, 2021💥

Prevention is cheaper, versus rescuing us after we have become homeless!

• What measures you as one person can do to perhaps prevent your homelessness or another age 50+ person's homelessness?

• Let us discuss this onging crisis 🙂

💡MY PLAN TO HELP

I am encouraging the folks with extra $$$$ to spare to invest in building Tiny Cottages to rent to us in my location.

💡WHY I CARE

It took me being homeless July 2017 to August 2018 to care. Up to that season in my life, life was stable. It took being laid off 3 times in my 50's for reality to kick in. Lol, have no desire to be homeless agsin with me now living on Social Security alone. Yes, had to use my 401k in 2008 to pay off my brand new car. That was my 1st layoff after 9 awesome years with Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Florida. That started my unpredictible life journey, working wherever I could with no 401k.

💥WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU💥

Do you have a homeless story to share? We would luv to hear it!!!

[Winter2024]

🏡  Meet 4 OLDER Americans Who Survived Homelessness (AARP Article)

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2022/older-americans-survived-homelessness.html

[Winter2024]

🏡  LA Homeless Man's Journey to Becoming a CEO (AARP Article)

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2023/los-angeles-homeless-to-ceo.html

[Winter2024]

🏡  Vickie Seat’s Story: From Homelessness to Independence (AARP Article)

https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/income/scsep/vickie-seat-scsep-story.html

[Winter2024]

TO ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS HOMELESS - this  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📸‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  attachment  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌📸‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  is for you my friend.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

‌‌‌👵‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ I use to be a homeless OLD LADY!!!

I was homeless in 2017 at the age of 59 for 13 months.

And NO, I was NOT an addict.

My job hours got cut as other businesses were closing their doors = NO other job to get.

[1] In 2017 I had to relocate to another city in Virginia in order to obtain a bed in a Rescue Mission where I was able to work and save. I used Amtrak.

[2] I bought a second-hand car in 2018 and moved into a place of my own with NO ASSISTANCE from anyone. The $5,000.00 I had saved during my 13 months in the Rescue Mission was all gone by the time I moved out (car stuff,apartment/utilities deposits).

[3] While my life is NOT perfect at the moment, I now have a SAFE place to call home. GRATEFUL!!!  ‌‌‌‌‌🙃‌‌‌‌‌

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

🏡  Find emergency housing (USAGov)

If you are facing HOMELESSNESS, these programs can help you find short-term housing.

https://www.usa.gov/emergency-housing

[Winter2024]

🏡  The Problem of Rising Rents and Where to Find Help (AARP Article)

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!!

The High Cost of Rising Rents.

OLDER Americans with limited incomes struggle to keep up with steep increases.

Rent increases and older adults.

Know Your Rights: What to Do If Your Rent Gets Jacked Up!

Learn your rights. Check to see if your landlord gave you the information and the advance notice required by state and local laws. Some places also have rent stabilization laws that limit rent increases. You can find free legal help through the Legal Services Corporation and the Eldercare Locator run by the U.S. Administration on Aging.     

https://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-2022/rising-rents-affordable-housing-resources.html

[Winter2024]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👋‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  Good Morning!!!

It is NOT easy or SAFE spending the "night" on the streets.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If YOU are age 50 or OLDER and NOW homeless or being EVICTED - I can help.

As a FORMERLY (NEVER been AGAIN) homeless at age 59 in 2017, I know and understand.

NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER FEEL ASHAMED my friends.

Stuff happens to ALL of us.

Hit reply button below. Enter your text. Hit reply again. Or send me an AARP PM (private message).

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)‌‌

[Winter2024]

🏡  Resources That Help the Homeless With Housing and More​ (AARP Resource Center)

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2022/resouces-to-help-the-homeless.html

[Winter2024]

🏡  3 Steps to Avoiding Foreclosure (AARP Article)

Here’s What To Do If You’re Struggling With Mortgage Payments.

https://my.aarpfoundation.org/article/foreclosure-assistance/

[Winter2024]

🏡  Avoid eviction (USAGov)

If you are behind on rent and received a demand for payment, an eviction notice, or an eviction lawsuit, understand your rights and how to get help.

https://www.usa.gov/avoid-eviction

[Winter2024]

‌‌🎅‌‌‌‌🤶‌‌  It's That Time AGAIN!!!

As a formerly homeless person in 2017 (age 59, job loss, economy struggling where I was), I am ASKING if INSTEAD of toys - please maybe PROVIDE a meal DAILY to a Homeless Family With KIDS.

*** They CANNOT fill their EMPTY stomachs with toys. ***

Thank you,

Nicole  ‌‌🏡‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

‌☃️‌  THE COLD WEATHER HAS ARRIVED!!!

I know here in my Virginia location, I am SO GRATEFUL to have heat.

Gone are those AWESOME Fall Days, hello Winter.

Being a Senior and Homeless becomes MORE of a challenge as you old folks out there already know - our bodies are changing.

SO PLEASE encourage YOUR COMMUNITY to maybe "house" the Homeless Seniors in EMPTY buildings for the Winter.

[1] YES, it is NOT a free ride and we all know about the RED TAPE involved = NO need to post this data.  ‌🙄‌

[2] Maybe YOUR Community can figure out a way "outside" of the Government (grants and so on) to get these buildings UP TO CODE & UTILITIES TURNED ON.

*** As a formerly homeless in 2017 at the age of 59 (job loss & poor economy where I was), SOME of us (NOT all) keep looking to the Government to do something. ***

Suggestion: While YOU WAIT for YOUR COMMUNITY leaders to care, step up  ‌👣‌‌👣‌‌👣‌  and SHARE your concerns about your FREEZING community homeless seniors with family, friends, co-workers and so on. YES, a group of any size can make a difference with DONATIONS of labor, cash, food and so on.

Thank you SO MUCH for caring about YOUR COMMUNITY!!!  ‌👍‌‌👍‌‌👍‌

Nicole  ‌🏡‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

‌COMPASSION  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[1] NOT every homeless person is an addict or a criminal or crazy.

[2] Some are people who are just like us who maybe lost a job or had medical bills that cleaned out their savings.

[3] So NEXT TIME you read about the homeless or see one, have some compassion.

Thank you,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👵‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

‌‌‌‌‌💼‌‌‌‌‌  JOBS ARE NEEDED FOR THE HOMELESS!!!

Some homeless use to be Doctors, Engineers, Nurses, CEOs, Lawyers, Teachers and so on. Hard times can AFFECT anyone = loss of jobs as an example.

(a) Getting to a job, an issue as not many homeless have a vehicle or can afford a bus pass.

(b) Access to a shower and work clothes can also be an issue.

*** Now some locations do help with this and I am hoping MORE will follow.  ***

Some do want to work and become financially independent with a SAFE place to call home.

Personally from my 13 months of being homeless, this was a MAJOR ISSUE for me.

I had to relocate to another city within Virginia in 2017 at age 59 when my job hours were reduced. Tried to get a 2nd job to add to my weekly hours but other businesses were closing their doors. Took Amtrak to my NEW location. GRATEFUL there was a bed waiting for me at the Rescue Mission where I lived until I had SAVED enough to buy a second-hand car [2006 Hyundai Elantra] and move into a Studio Apartment [NO assistance with this]. Saved $5,000.00 from my NEW job through the Goodwill SCSEP [Senior Community Service Employment Program]. A part-time assignment to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore while I looked for a REAL JOB. And yes I found one at Carilion Hospital here in Virginia. Lol, and ALL of my $5,000.00 was gone - spent on car stuff, apartment/utilities deposits and so on. GRATEFUL my then KIND Property Manager knew I was homeless and NOT getting any SLEEP at the Rescue Mission let me MOVE IN before my lease started. Two weeks EARLY and not charged. I MISS her!!! Because of her I passed my PROBATION time at my NEW job. There was NO WAY I would have with NO SLEEP at nights while working the Front Desk at Carilion Hospital = phone and people in a very busy environment. Some days I was pulling double shifts to get that overtime.  ‌‌‌‌‌🙃‌‌‌‌‌

Anyway, just wanted folks to know that IF you are in a position to help someone who is homeless get a JOB - please do!!!

Thanks,

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌👵‌‌‌‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

‌‌‌‌‌🐕‌‌‌‌‌  WAYS TO HELP people experiencing HOMELESSNESS with their DOGS.  ‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌

[1] Donate supplies. You can donate food, water bowls, toys, treats, bedding, leashes, collars, and more to a local pet food pantry or homeless shelter. You can also host a pet food drive at a school, church, or business.

[2] Provide veterinary care. Organizations like The Street Dog Coalition offer free veterinary care and other services to pets of people experiencing homelessness.

[3] Offer a foster home. You can offer to temporarily foster a homeless person's pet while they get help.

[4] Negotiate with pet boarding facilities. You can negotiate a reduced rate or no fee for pet boarding with a local facility and refer people in crisis there.

[5] Pay for vaccinations. You can offer to pay for updated vaccinations so that the pet can be welcome at pet-friendly facilities.

[6] Create a network. You can talk to people in your neighborhood, church, or Rotary Club about offering their homes or yards to a homeless person's pet.

‌‌‌‌‌📸‌‌‌‌‌  Attachment  ‌‌‌‌‌📸‌‌‌‌‌

[Winter2024]

🏆  Do you know that a co-worker could be one of the growing population of HIDDEN HOMELESS?

People who go to WORK EVERY DAY (2 or 3 jobs) TRYING to get BACK ON THEIR FEET.

THEY NEVER COMPLAIN & NEVER MISS WORK.

*** No-one at their jobs, not even their bosses know they are living in their car, shelter or on the street. ***

Hats off to you guys!!!

Nicole  🏡  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[GAKKIEZ]

  @Winter2024 yes. I've known a couple. Seeking to escape 'domestic violence' and living in shelter.  So determined to succeed they would walk/public transportation to shelter after work, hand wash work clothing to prepare for the next day at work.  I also knew of one that worked overnight security in the office building just to keep her day job.   So happy to report - They made it!!!

[Winter2024]

AWESOME @GAKKIEZ !!!  🙃🙃🙃

[Winter2024]

💡  Instead of handing a Homeless Senior money, how about you HELP THEM TO GET OFF THE STREET?

(1) Contact YOUR local OFFICE OF AGING. Ask them IF there are any RESOURCES to help this Senior.

(2) Usually there are SHELTERS available but getting to them can be a hardship. Maybe check with YOUR local SOCIAL SERVICES to find out the best way to transport this Senior to a SHELTER.

Thank you for CARING!!!

Nicole  🏡  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

👴👵  So many RETIREES who are "struggling" FINANCIALLY feel a need to SUPPORT family financially.

IF family EXPECTS you to give up your standard of living (safe place to live, sufficient healthcare) to pay their bills - THAT IS NOT LUV!!!

And when you are BROKE & SICK, will they take care of you?  🤔

Nicole  🏡  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[GAKKIEZ]

  @Winter2024 This is an issue that really bugs me!  I've seen far too many families asking older family members for financial assistance because they believe seniors are more well-off.  I've actually seen (and experienced) younger family members ask for cash or expect older family members to take out home equity loans because a younger family member needs a car or has student loans.  Shameless!!  NEVER put the roof over your own head in jeopardy for the sake of someone else! (especially for those that are able bodied but refuses to earn their keep)

[Winter2024]

@GAKKIEZ , so MANY ARE LONELY and do this just to have LUV THEY THINK. Sad!!!  😤😤😤

[GAKKIEZ]

  @Winter2024 Many are made to feel it's their family obligation.  OR  They are told that the younger family member will "take care" of them when they are unable to.

  I've seen that 'caregiver' ploy abused too often. Some even apply for 'caregiver' benefits from different agencies.

[Winter2024]

🏡  Housing for Homeless Veterans (AARP Article)

According to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans, more than 40,000 U.S. veterans are without shelter on any given night. Fortunately, there are a number of organizations working to end housing insecurity among veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs is working with states and communities to ensure all veterans have homes. 

[1] Homes for Heroes’ goal is to gift one mortgage-free home every 11 days. 

[2] Purple Heart Homes provides housing solutions for aging veterans and veterans with disabilities.

[3] And Wounded Warrior Homes is a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing to help alleviate homelessness for post-9/11 veterans experiencing PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.

https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-ideas/housing-homelessness.html

[Winter2024]

‌🏡‌  "A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul."

-- Phillip Moffitt (Meditation Teacher)

FACEBOOK LINK BELOW. https://www.facebook.com/therealphillipmoffitt/

[Winter2024]

‌‌‌‌📚‌‌‌‌  (Author who use to be homeless)

NOT everyone who’s homeless is a drug-addict or in need of mental health care.

Some are normal people who’ve been knocked down, and it can happen to you too.

NOT all of us made bad life choices.

– Sherrilyn Kenyon

[Winter2024]

‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😴‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  To anyone who is SLEEPING on the street TONIGHT, you are in MY thoughts!!!

As a FORMER homeless OLD PERSON (age 59, 2017), I know the hardships involved.  ‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌😭‌‌‌‌

TOMORROW is another day to seek a place to call home. NEVER GIVE UP.

BE SAFE my friend(s).

Nicole  ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤗‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌  (Age 50+ Homeless Forum)

[Winter2024]

AARP Foundation Helps STRUGGLING OLDER Americans (AARP Article)

Who We Are.

AARP Foundation creates and advances effective solutions to reduce poverty for and with OLDER adults.

https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/about-us.html

[GAKKIEZ]

  @Winter2024 Do you know anything about AARP grants programs?  I noticed in the AARP November 2024 reference to the AARP Community Challenge Grant. (Not sure if that's an annual program.)