Am I at risk of going homeless?

Whether or not you are at risk of going homeless depends on a number of factors, including your financial situation, living situation, and personal circumstances. Some of the most common risk factors for homelessness include:

• Poverty and lack of affordable housing: If you are struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford to pay rent or a mortgage, you are at increased risk of becoming homeless.This is especially true if you live in an area with a high cost of living and low wages.

• Unemployment or job insecurity: If you lose your job or have a job that does not pay enough to support yourself and your family, you may be unable to afford to keep your home.

• Mental illness and substance use disorders: Mental illness and substance use disorders can make it difficult to maintain employment and housing. They can also lead to risky behaviors that can increase the risk of homelessness, such as running away from home or getting involved in the criminal justice system.

• Domestic violence and sexual assault: Domestic violence and sexual assault can force people to leave their homes for safety. Victims of these crimes may have difficulty finding new housing, especially if they have children or pets.

• Medical emergencies and disabilities: Medical emergencies and disabilities can lead to financial hardship and make it difficult to maintain housing. People with disabilities may also have difficulty finding housing that is accessible to them.

Even if you are not experiencing any of these risk factors, you may still be at risk of homelessness if you have a sudden change in circumstances, such as a job loss, divorce, or death of a loved one.

Here are some specific things you can look for to see if you may be at risk of going homeless:

• Are you struggling to pay rent or your mortgage?

• Are you behind on other bills, such as utilities or credit cards?

• Do you have any savings to fall back on in case of an emergency?

• Is your job secure?

• Do you have a supportive social network of friends and family members who you can rely on for help?

• Are you experiencing any mental health or substance use problems?

• Have you been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault?

• Have you had any recent medical emergencies or disabilities?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from becoming homeless. There are a number of resources available to help people who are at risk of homelessness, such as rental assistance programs, homeless shelters, and job training programs.

Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of going homeless:

• Create a budget and stick to it. This will help you to make sure that you are spending less money than you are earning.

• Save money regularly. Even if you can only save a small amount each month, it will add up over time. We recommend you listen to the book the richest man in Babylon. Here is a YouTube link. You can also down load the pdf of the book for free. https://youtu.be/wglndSWrvsM?si=77QDQILLOAaXLa1N

• Get a job or start a business. This will give you a steady income that you can use to pay your bills and save for the future. Here are a few links, where you can work from home. 1)https://app.instawork.com/worker?ref_code=276lkne&utm_source=refer-copy-button 2) https://focusgroups.org/ 3)https://www.userinterviews.com/studies?sort=-id

• Build a strong social network.Surround yourself with supportive friends and family members who you can rely on you for help in times of need.

• Seek help if you are struggling with mental health or substance use problems. There are a number of resources available to help people get the treatment they need. Click on the link to get the help you need if your having trouble with substance abuse. https://www.homelesslongisland.org/help-with-drugs-and-alcohol

• Report domestic violence and sexual assault to the police. There are also a number of non-profit organizations that can provide support and resources to victims of these crimes. In Suffolk county Long Island we have a few domestic violence shelters and counciling. Click on the link for help. Https://www.homelesslongisland.org/homeless-shelters

• Get health insurance and regular medical care. This will help you to stay healthy and avoid medical debt.

• PRAY, when your done praying, pray some more. Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

If you are worried that you may be at risk of going homeless, please reach out to a local homeless shelter or social service agency for help. There are people who can help you to develop a plan to stay in your home or find new housing if needed.