Housing Resources and Help for the Homeless

National nonprofits

The National Coalition for the Homeless, based in Washington, D.C., works with people who are homeless or have experienced homelessness, as well as activists, advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to ending and preventing homelessness. The coalition has an extensive, state-by-state directory of resources.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness, based in Washington, D.C., aims to prevent homelessness in the U.S. According to its website, the organization uses “research and data to find solutions to homelessness" while working with federal and local partners to create a base of policy and resources to support and implement solutions.

For a fee, the Alliance offers online classes for service providers through its Center for Learning. Topics include case management during COVID-19, improving street outreach and rapid re-housing.

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council, based in Nashville, Tennessee, works at the nexus of homelessness and health care. Its mission is to build an equitable, high-quality health care system through training, research and advocacy in the movement to end homelessness. The organization brings together health care professionals, medical-respite care providers, advocates and people who have experienced homelessness.

The National Homelessness Law Center, based in Washington, D.C., “seeks to serve as the legal arm of the national movement to end and prevent homelessness” and protect the rights of people experiencing homelessness, according to the group’s website. “We believe that the human rights to adequate housing, health care, food and education lie at the heart of human dignity, and we envision a world where no one has to go without the basics of human survival.”

Roll up your sleeves

If you want to lend a hand, reach out to a nearby charity, food pantry, meal program, shelter or transitional living facility. Organizations often list volunteer opportunities or suggest ways to help on their websites. Some urge donations of gift cards, clothing, socks, toiletries or products such as adult diapers.

Volunteer opportunities range from hosting meals or enrichment programs to donating professional services, such as haircutting. To serve children experiencing homelessness, some nonprofits seek volunteers to help with preschool classes, childcare and field trips.

Consider a donation

Programs such as Friendship Place in Washington, D.C.; Community Housing Advocates, Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut; Artists Helping the Homeless, in Kansas City, Missouri; and Brilliant Corners, headquartered in Los Angeles and San Francisco, are among scores of nonprofits across the U.S. that welcome financial gifts.