Overcoming Vehicular Homelessness

Being Thankful for What You Got

No matter how grim things might seem there are always many things to be appreciative for and thankful for! If you're experiencing financial hardship just know that things can change at the drop of a dime! Many consumers who experience financial hardship or hardship in general can fall into this negative frame of mind and self-reinforcing trap. There’s always something to be thankful for and you never know what blessings God will bring your way.

“Many celebrities have lived out of their car and have gone on to live extraordinary lives after things turned around: the list includes, James Cameron, Jim Cramer, Suze Orman, Steve Harvey, etc.”

Daily Challenges for Individuals Facing Vehicular Homelessness

There are many challenges for individual that are homeless and living out of their car. These consumers have to worry about taking a shower, something we often second guess. Many have to resort to using a gym or other public places to get cleaned up. Many often need to worry about finding a secluded place or parking spot in which you can turn the engine off and go to sleep. They are also constantly dealing with parking tickets, having to abide by parking laws and constantly being ostracized and accused of trespassing. They lack access to electricity (simple things like being able to charge your car without turning the car on). They also live life through a different lens and have a different perception of reality. Often times they are ultra-aware and suspicious of people around them. Many also deal with medical issues like neck & back pain and cramping issues. It’s also more difficult for them to find a job since they don’t have an address to report when applying for employment opportunities, etc.

Helping Consumers Experiencing Extreme Hardship and Living Out of Their Vehicles

Things might seem tough right now but things always get darkest before the dawn. If you're dealing with vehicular homelessness the first thing you should do is to create a mailing address (if you don’t already have one) and register your car insurance to that mailing address. This will also help with putting an address down for any future employment opportunities. Although a P.O. Box might not be accepted for every use case, you can consider paying for one in the short term and try your best to manage with it.

Safety First

Make sure to always lock your doors and have an anti-theft system in place with your vehicle; tinting your vehicles may also be a prudent thing to do. The best thing you can typically do however, is park in places that have extremely low foot traffic and are secluded.

Next Steps to Take

First and foremost, you should contact a housing counselor or shelter system in your local community. Although you may be opposed to living in a shelter, they can still provide highly valuable resources to help you get your life back on track. Yes, it can be embarrassing but don’t remain avoidant if there is help out there for you, even if it’s just a little bit. Make sure to have a valid mailing address when applying for employment opportunities (a P.O. box or virtual address is fine in this scenario). This may seem insignificant but it is worth the cost and will definitely help your chances for getting your life back on track.

• Visit the resources available on the National Coalition for the Homeless.
• Check what resources you are eligible for, whether it is permanent supportive housing, Section 8 housing or other housing resources.
• Contact your local 2-1-1 hotline.