Get help for homelessness, hunger, and more

by Federal Government of the United States

Get help for homelessness, hunger, and more

Every day, hundreds of thousands of Americans face homelessness and go without proper food and shelter. It can affect people at any age and from all walks of life. And if you’re experiencing financial issues, domestic violence, or substance abuse, you may be at special risk.

Whether you or a loved one is facing a housing or food crisis, it’s important to know there are potentially life-saving resources near you that can help:

• Find a homeless shelter by dialing 211, or visit 211.org to find services and resources in your community.
• Get veterans housing assistance with help from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• If you’re about to become homeless, learn what to do right away to stay safe and find alternate housing.
• Explore food assistance programs, including searching for a local food bank or applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps).
• Crisis hotlines can give free, confidential help if you’re:

• Having suicidal thoughts - Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
• A veteran at risk of homelessness - Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838) or the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. TTY: 1-800-799-4889
• Experiencing domestic violence - Call the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY: 1−800−787−3224.
• A young person thinking about leaving home - Call the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or start a live chat from the homepage to access help for kids and parents facing homelessness.
• A victim of human trafficking - Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text to 233733, or start a live chat.
• Needing help with substance abuse - Contact SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889.

Discover the government programs and services you need to help make life a little easier and safer for you and your family at USA.gov.

LAST UPDATED: April 10, 2023