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Homeless in Your Car? We’re Here for You.
If you’re living in your car, we want you to know you’re not alone — and help is available. Whether you’re seeking support to find stable housing or need resources to make your current situation more manageable and safe, we are here to assist you with care, respect, and understanding.
Our goal is to help you take the next steps toward a place to call home or to provide tools, tips, and resources that can help you stay more comfortable and secure while living in your vehicle. No judgment — just real support when you need it most.
Exercise is Essential
One common issue we see is the tendency to remain in your car all day. While it might feel like the only safe or comfortable option, it’s important to get out, move around, and stay active. If the weather is bad, consider walking inside a mall or joining a local gym for access to indoor space. Prolonged sitting in your car can lead to serious health problems, including increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, mental health challenges, musculoskeletal pain, and even cognitive decline. We recommend getting up to walk and stretch at least once every hour to help protect your physical and mental well-being.
It is essential to get roadside assistants
Many people are homeless in their car in Nassau and Suffolk Counties,We highly recommend that if you are experiencing homelessness and living in your car, you invest in roadside assistance. This is an essential expense that can save you from difficult and potentially dangerous situations. We often receive distress calls from individuals who are homeless and stranded due to a flat tire with no way to replace it, a dead battery that needs a jump-start, a flat spare tire, or being locked out of their vehicle. With no one around to help and no funds to resolve the issue, these situations can become overwhelming. Roadside assistance provides peace of mind and critical support when you need it most.
Where Can I Park While Living in My Car?
We get asked this question all the time—where can I safely park while living in my car? Many people experiencing homelessness have shared their go-to spots. Here are some common places they’ve told us about: Planet Fitness Parking Lots Open 24/7, and with a membership for about $15/month, you can use their facilities for showers, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. Park and Ride Lots These commuter lots are often low-traffic at night and a popular choice for overnight parking. Dix Hills Welcome Center (Long Island, NY) Located on I-495 Eastbound between Exits 51-52. Open 24 hours, but note they have a 3-hour parking limit—be mindful to avoid tickets or issues. The rest area on the east bound lane of the Long island Expressway right before exit 66, we are told you can stay there for 24 hours. Additional Parking Tips: Avoid Parking Near Dumpsters or Woods in Summer In parking lots near wooded areas or restaurants, stay away from dumpsters and wooded edges, especially in summer. These areas can attract flying cockroaches and other pests. Stay Out of High-Crime Areas Always stay aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts—if it doesn’t feel safe, leave. Park in Packs for Safety When possible, connect with other people living in cars and park nearby. There’s safety in numbers.
"Stay Safe and Prepared":
Essentials you should have with you in your car Water is the best and safest drink—make it your go-to choice to stay cool in summer and warm in winter. However, many living in their cars avoid drinking water because they worry about needing a bathroom. A good tip is to park near fast food restaurants or public places with restrooms for easy access. A can of fix-a-flat. Jumper cables, and or a Jump starter box. Emergency non perishable food. Tylenol and or advil First aid kit. Space blankets Toilet paper and latex gloves, a five gallon bucket if you have room, you can even get on Amazon toilet seat for a five gallon bucket.
We Care & Want to Help
If you're struggling with homelessness in your car and you're ready for a change, call us or click here for support.
Important Tips for Living in Your Car
Keep Insurance, Registration & Inspection Up to Date Make sure your auto insurance is paid and that your registration and inspection stickers are valid. Avoid fines or getting towed. Your Car Is Your Home—Keep It Clean Whether by choice or circumstance, your car is your living space. Keeping it clean helps avoid unwanted attention and stress. Avoid Clutter Don’t use your car as storage. Only keep items you’ll need for the week to maximize space and stay organized. Find a Reliable Mechanic: Build a relationship with a trustworthy mechanic who understands your situation and can fix your car the same day if needed. Always Have Spare Keys Keep one or two spare keys. Give one to a trusted friend or family member if possible, to avoid lockouts. Invest in a Jump Box A jump box is a smart investment. It can jump-start your car and also charge your phone or other electronics, which is essential for staying connected, and also reduces strain on your battery when the car is not running. Need Supplies? If you need blankets, a bivy bag, space blanket, bible, reach out to us. Know where food pantries and soup kitchens are in your area.
Window Shades
Having window shades in your car can offer several important benefits, especially if you're experiencing homelessness and living out of your vehicle. One of the most crucial advantages is privacy—they help shield you from prying eyes, which can be essential when you're sleeping, changing clothes, or simply trying to relax without feeling exposed or vulnerable. This added layer of discretion can help you feel safer and more in control of your space. Window shades also help regulate the temperature inside the car by blocking out sunlight, keeping it cooler during hot days and providing insulation during colder nights. Additionally, they reduce glare and UV exposure, protecting both you and your car’s interior from sun damage. Overall, window shades can provide a greater sense of security, comfort, and dignity when your vehicle serves as your home.
"Secure your doors":
Safety Tip: This simple but effective hack can help you feel more secure while sleeping in your car—loop your seatbelt through the door handle to prevent it from being opened from the outside.
Space Blankets
We have some tricks!
Space blankets (also known as emergency blankets or Mylar blankets) are lightweight, affordable, and extremely useful for people living in their cars. Here are safe, practical, and creative ways to use a space blanket for warmth, privacy, and comfort when unhoused: 🛏️ 1. Improving Insulation at Night Wrap yourself: Use it like a sleeping bag liner to reflect your body heat and stay warm. - Layer beneath you: Place it under your seat with a blanket or cushion to prevent heat loss to the seat. You can also cut one up and put it under your cars floor mat to keep the cold and moisture from penetrating up into your legs. same rule applies in the summer time with deflecting outside heat. Even helps when you drive. 🚗 2. Window Insulation & Privacy Shield Line windows: Tape the shiny side facing inward to reflect your heat back into the car. Block visibility: Use it as a discreet privacy curtain with clips or magnets. 🌡️ 3. Temperature Control Warmth in the cold: Reflects up to 90% of body heat—great for frigid nights. Reflecting heat in summer: Place it shiny side up on the outside of the windshield to deflect sunlight. Tape to a piece of cardboard cut to fit the window, don't forget to darken the outside of the window. 💧 4. Rain Protection Use as an emergency waterproof cover for broken windows or as a tarp taped to the roof before the rain starts if you ave a leaky sky light, 🎒 5. Emergency Signal Device. The shiny surface can be used to signal for help by reflecting sunlight toward passersby or aircraft. 🧽 6. Make a Quick Interior Curtain. Tape or use magnets or clip it inside for privacy when changing, sleeping, or using a portable toilet. 🧍♂️ 7. To Stay Warm While Outside Wrap it around yourself while walking to shelter, waiting for help, or staying near your vehicle. Tip: Space blankets are noisy and can tear easily. You can reinforce them with duct tape or layer them under bedding to reduce sound and wear. If you—or someone you know—needs direction on using space blankets or other survival tools, **Homeless Long Island** provides guidance and essentials to those in need. You're not alone—reach out, and we can help.
Best Sleeping Hack
"These days, you can find a solution for almost any situation. We're always looking for ways to make your life more comfortable and safe while you work toward securing housing. This universal car air mattress is a great option, and there are others available specifically for hatchback vehicles."
Find a good auto mechanic
Connecting with a reliable auto mechanic can be a game-changer for those facing homelessness while living in their cars. A good mechanic understands the urgency of the situation and works with limited budgets, ensuring essential repairs are made quickly and cost-effectively. By building a relationship with a trustworthy mechanic, individuals can access timely repairs that not only enhance the vehicle's safety but also provide peace of mind during a challenging time. Having a well-functioning car can offer a sense of stability, mobility, and a safe place to sleep, thereby improving overall wellbeing and creating opportunities for work and support services.