Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 5: Finding a place to sleep
• Part 2 of 5: Feeding yourself
• Part 3 of 5: Maintaining your appearance
• Part 4 of 5: Be part of society
• Part 5 of 5: Protecting yourself
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

People can end up on the street for a variety of reasons, often because they have no other choice. While it may seem impossible to live on the street, there are certain strategies that make it somewhat human. With some planning it is possible to live on the street.

To step

Part 1 of 5: Finding a place to sleep

1. Make sure to bring a blanket. Sleep deprivation is a major problem for people living on the street because it means they can no longer be on their guard. Always take your blanket with you so that you can always benefit from a good sleeping place.
   • Sleeping bags are warm and suitable for outdoor use.
   • Try a bivy bag, as this is more like a body-sized tent. It is collapsible and will protect you from the weather.
   • If you live somewhere very cold, sleeping on the floor is a risk, even with a sleeping bag and warm clothes, as the ground will absorb your body heat. You will need an inflatable and insulated sleeping bag to retain your heat.
2. Sleep in group. If you can make friendships with other people who live on the street, try sleeping in groups so you can take turns keeping watch. Your group does not have to be large to be effective. Even one confidant can make it safer to sleep.
   • Get to know someone better before you entrust that person with your safety. Remember that everyone is trying to survive.
3. Try a shelter. Shelters provide a roof over your head and often have showers, but sometimes it is difficult to get in. In most cities there is at least one shelter and in cities with many homeless people there are usually several. Google Maps can come in handy to help locate the shelters near you.
   • When you sleep in a shelter, be aware of your surroundings as other people in the center can be dangerous.
   • Reception centers are usually not-for-profit institutions, but there are exceptions. You may have to pay to use the shelter, so discuss your options before laying on a bed.
4. Sleep during the day. You are most at risk when you sleep, but sleeping during the day will make you safer. While it can be difficult to get used to sleeping while it's light outside, during the day you're noticeably less likely to be a victim of a crime or arrested.
   • Try a public park. You can put your blanket as if you were on a picnic.
   • Sleep on the beach. You may consider sleeping on the beach during the day. Fold your blanket like a beach towel so you don't stand out from the other sunbathers. Use sunscreen and avoid the hottest times of the day.
5. Choose public places. This is especially important if you decide to sleep at night. While you may not like other people seeing you sleeping, choose well-lit places with lots of people passing by so that you are less likely to fall victim to something.

Part 2 of 5: Feeding yourself

1. Go to soup serving. Find a hot meal and possibly other forms of service from soup supplies, which are usually organized by churches and charities. Soups also provide opportunities for networking and making contacts. You can meet other people who also live on the street and you might find someone who can help improve your situation.
   • If you can't find a soup supply, try it with religious organizations as they often have some form of voluntary support for those in need. Maybe you can buy some fruit and vegetables or a gift card for a shop.
   • Ask staff for information about services, homeless programs, and options for getting help getting off the street, but don't ask them for money or an opportunity to stay overnight with them.
2. Ask for food. While you should avoid going up to people and asking for help, begging for food is okay because it can provide you with food while living on the street. People are often more willing to give food than to give money.
3. Try to get free samples. If you can blend in with other customers, enter stores and try to get free samples. Never take multiple samples from the same booth unless you are allowed to do so. Try to keep track of which stores provide the most samples so that you can return there later.
   • Always act like a customer. It's a good idea to buy something small, even if it's just a piece of fruit or a packet of noodles.
   • Visit farmers' markets after closing time to see if there are any products you can take with you for free or very cheap.
4. Look in dumpsters. Shops and restaurants throw away food every day and some of it is certainly still okay to eat. Shop dumpsters are even popular today with people who do have the money to buy food.
   • Check the area around the waste container so that you can avoid confrontation with people who do not want you to get something out of that container, such as a store manager or someone who already has the waste container in mind.
   • When in doubt, never eat foods that could be bad.
   • Most supermarket chains even throw away food before the expiration date. Search in waste containers behind the Jumbo, Lidl or Aldi.
   • Find out if it is legal to search in dumpsters where you live. Never try to dive into containers that are on the property of the store.
5. Prioritize proteins. Your diet will suffer when you live on the street, but you can keep yourself healthier by making sure you get enough protein. While you may not be able to eat meat, cheap alternatives do exist. Peanut butter, for example, contains a lot of protein and does not need to be kept in the refrigerator. Beans are another option, although you may need to reheat them first.
6. Keep snacks that don't weigh much. Refill your soup distribution meals, samples, dumpster loot and donations with a stash of snacks. Depending on how much money you can find or earn, you can buy or collect cheap food that will last for a very long time and carry it with you in your backpack. Try nuts, college oats, and peanut butter, as these all contain proteins and fats. You can also try dried foods such as raisins, beef jerky and granola bars which are light and often very nutritious, although the latter are more expensive.
   • Remove the packaging from food so that it takes up less space and weighs less.
   • Search for snacks while browsing dumpsters. They may be past their sell-by date, but they usually last for a while.
   • Collect free herbs and spices of which you can take a little if there is no food available.
7. Carry a bottle of water with you. Water is more important than food, so always try to have a bottle of water with you. Fill up your bottle whenever you see a fountain or a clean sink, even if your bottle isn't empty yet. While water is easy to find in the city, you shouldn't run the risk of your bottle running out as dehydration is one of the biggest risks you run.
   • If you are not in a city, find running water or collect rainwater.

Part 3 of 5: Maintaining your appearance

1. Wash yourself in toilets. Public toilets are crucial when you live on the street. In addition to a place to relieve yourself, they also provide running water, soap and privacy. While it is better to bring your own toiletries, you can use the toilet's hand soap if you cannot afford soap or shampoo.
   • Find public restrooms in places such as fast food restaurants, shopping centers, airports, libraries, universities, and office buildings.
   • Try to get a container with water and a mirror so that you can turn a place into a private washing facility. If you can buy a collapsible bucket, do it. This is a good option if you can't find a toilet.
2. Find a shower. While you will likely wash with a washcloth or sponge most of the time, there are still options for showering. You can try shelters, but you may also find a public shower that you can use.
   • Try to visit fitness centers. Although you will probably have to pay a membership fee, you can ask if they offer a free trial period. Perhaps you will be able to take advantage of one of these options, giving you access to the fitness room amenities.
   • Use the showers on the beach or on a camping pitch. Although these showers sometimes offer insufficient privacy, it is still easier to wash than for a sink. Pretend you belong there so that there is little chance that people will ask themselves questions.
3. Wash your clothes. It's easier to clean yourself than to wash your clothes, but making sure your clothes smell fresh will give people more opportunities because they will be less likely to suspect you are living on the street. It is better to go to the laundromat every week, but if that is not possible you can still wash your clothes in a sink.
   • Ask at your local shelter or during a soup distribution about other facilities where you can wash your clothes.
   • Collect change to use in the laundromat. Washing and drying machines usually cost 1-2 euros to use.
   • Wash your clothes in a sink, a few items at a time, and then hang them up to dry.
4. Try baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate is cheap and can be used to make both yourself and your clothes smell better. Use it to wash your clothes and refresh your armpits and pubic area. You can even use sodium bicarbonate as a natural deodorant.

Part 4 of 5: Be part of society

1. Use the library. Public and university libraries are great facilities for those living on the street. You can use the computers, access the internet, apply for jobs, read a book or magazine, find shelter and use the toilet. The library will certainly come in handy if you are looking for a permanent job and shelter.
2. Travel light. You are not supposed to make people feel like you are living on the street, because then they will make assumptions about you and probably stay away from you. This is particularly important when entering shops, office buildings or other facilities. Find a safe place to store extra items or reduce your number of belongings to easily fit in a backpack and carrying bag.
   • When carrying a backpack, try to look like you are either a gifted hiker or cyclist or someone carrying a backpack for convenience.
   • Try to use a bag that resembles a standard tote or reusable bag from the grocery store so that people will assume that you are on your way home from shopping.
3. Try to get a PO box. Although it is not free, a PO Box can be very important to maintain a certain standard of living or to get back on both feet if you wish. You can have mail sent to the PO Box, keep small items in the box and use it as a permanent address when you apply for a job. You will not be able to use it as a permanent address for certain services, but certain PO boxes will provide you with a legal address, so ask carefully what the options are.

Part 5 of 5: Protecting yourself

1. Stay alert. Your safety depends on how aware you remain of your surroundings. Living on the street can be dangerous, especially since you don't always know who you can or cannot trust. In addition to the fact that some people can pose a danger to you, some people will think that you are the danger. Be careful and courteous.
2. Stick with a group. You are simply safer in a group. Try to find partners among other homeless people so that you can keep each other safe. Group living will also provide the opportunity to keep more belongings, as you can then take turns looking at each other's belongings.
3. Get to know the police patterns. While the police are usually there to ensure safety, they can also pose a threat to people living on the streets. Because of prejudices against homeless people, you may be seen as a criminal, especially in certain neighborhoods. Know when they usually patrol so you can make the best decision about where to sleep and where to find shelter.
   • Depending on your race and where you live, the presence of the police can make that place safer or less safe to sleep. If you have a good relationship with the police in your area, sleeping while they are on patrol can be a good option.
   • Always show respect when dealing with the police, even if you feel that you are being treated unfairly.
4. Know your rights. When you live on the street, you need to know the law enough to protect yourself. No matter what other people say, you still have rights. In the US, for example, you can hold a sign in a public place asking for money. On the other hand, there are also cities that impose laws and restrictions on homeless people, so check with local non-profit organizations first to get the necessary information.
   • You can find pamphlets and more information about non-profit organizations that help people living on the street. If you are unsure where to start, ask a local food supply for help or use the resources of a public library to do your research.
5. Take shelter during a storm. During severe weather you have to adjust your sleep pattern. Storms are an emergency when you live on the street. Try places such as stations where you can blend in with other travelers or walk through the aisles of open stores during the day. You can search for waiting areas in hospitals or airports that are open 24 hours a day.
   • If there is an airport nearby, blend in with the other travelers so you can take a nap in the waiting area. Just make sure you move around often so that no one gets suspicious.
6. Wear a hat. The sun can be dangerous, so use a hat to protect yourself from exposure. In addition, a hat helps to keep yourself warm in cold weather. Go to a thrift store to find an affordable hat that matches your clothes.
7. Use sunscreen. Although this costs money, sunscreen will protect you from skin cancer and sunburn. Sunburn is a common condition that affects many people living on the street, so try to keep your status hidden by avoiding a red face.
8. Protect your belongings. Living on the street means that you will either have to limit your belongings to what you can carry or provide a home base. If you are working with a partner or a group, you can take turns watching each other's belongings.
   • Try to find out if a local shelter offers the possibility to keep things there.
   • Carry a large stick or an umbrella to deter potential thieves.
   • Cover your belongings while you sleep, and if possible, wrap part of your backpack around your arm or leg to wake up like someone trying to steal it.

Tips

• Do not tell anyone that you are homeless. Regardless of the reasons you live on the street, tell people who discover your living situation that you are a city nomad or that you are researching for a book or for something else.
• Try to make money by doing strange jobs.You can use a computer in the library to visit websites such as Craigslist and search for opportunities. You may not earn enough to pay for apartment rent, but you will be able to afford things like food, toiletries, and thrift store items.
• If you have the money, buy a membership to a fitness center to get access to showers, wireless internet, and temporary shelter.
• Pick up change. You can buy a banana or a carrot for less than 25 cents.
• Don't forget that you are just as good as everyone else. Living on the street does not mean that you are less important in society.
• Always check the slots on vending machines and pay phones for change. You may find change there. Pick up and check unmanaged wallets. You don't know how much you will find!

Warnings

• When people realize that you live on the street, they will make negative assumptions about you. Protect yourself by blending in and maintaining your appearance.
• Watch out for dogs and others street animals. They can be just as needy as you and can be particularly aggressive. Have a heavy stick, a piece of iron pipe, or some rocks (only if you can throw relatively accurately!) And keep it nearby when you sleep.
• It is easier to hold on to a place in society than to earn it back after giving it up.

Necessities

• Sleeping bag or blankets
• Poncho and / or Tarpaulin
• Weapon for self-defense
• Money (optional)
• First-aid kit
• Water bottle
• Backpack
• Sunscreen
• Newspapers to keep you warm
• Cap / headgear