Housing & Survival Resources
If You Need Help Right Now
This page is for when you need food, housing, money, or other survival resources—not therapy or emotional support (though those matter too).
You are not a burden for needing help. Mutual aid means we help each other.
Find Local Resources Fast
FindHelp.org
What it does:
- Enter your zip code
- Find local resources for:
- Food assistance
- Housing/shelter
- Financial assistance
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Job training
- Legal help
- And more
This is the fastest way to find what you need in your area.
Housing & Homelessness
If You’re Homeless or About to Be
National Resources:
211
- Call or text: 211
- Connects you to local services
- Housing, food, utilities, healthcare
- Available 24/7 in most areas
- Multi-language support
National Homeless Hotline
- Call: 1-877-4-SHELTER (1-877-474-3583)
- Helps locate shelters nationwide
Homeless Shelter Directory
- Website: homelessshelterdirectory.org
- Search by state/city
LGBTQ+ Specific Housing
Ali Forney Center (NYC)
- LGBTQ+ youth housing
- aliforneycenter.org
- Crisis: 1-877-690-3277
True Colors United
- LGBTQ+ youth homelessness resources
- truecolorsunited.org
- Host homes program
National LGBTQ+ Homeless Youth Provider Listing:
Youth & Young Adults (Under 25)
National Runaway Safeline
- Call/Text: 1-800-786-2929
- 24/7 crisis support
- Can help with shelter, transportation, resources
- Confidential
Covenant House
- Youth shelters across U.S., Canada, Latin America
- covenanthouse.org
- Under 25 years old
Domestic Violence Housing
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Call: 1-800-799-7233
- Text “START” to 88788
- thehotline.org
- Help finding safe housing, emergency shelter
Veterans Housing
VA Homeless Services
- Call: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- Website: va.gov/homeless
- Emergency housing, supportive services
Rent & Utilities Assistance
Modest Needs
- modestneeds.org
- Short-term financial assistance
- Prevents homelessness
The Salvation Army
- Local centers offer rent/utility assistance
- Find near you: salvationarmyusa.org
Catholic Charities
- Secular services available (you don’t need to be Catholic)
- Rent, utilities, food
- catholiccharitiesusa.org
211 - Call for local emergency assistance programs
Food
Food Assistance Programs
SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Apply online or at local office
- fns.usda.gov/snap
- Eligibility calculator available
WIC (Women, Infants, Children)
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or young children
- fns.usda.gov/wic
Food Banks & Pantries
Feeding America
- Food bank locator
- feedingamerica.org
- Enter zip code to find nearest food bank
Local Food Banks:
- Search “food bank near me”
- Most don’t require proof of income
- Many deliver or have mobile pantries
Free Meals
Food Not Bombs
- 500+ chapters in 60+ countries
- Free vegan meals, no questions asked
- Autonomous, community-run (not government-funded)
- Find local chapter: foodnotbombs.net
- Usually serves in parks or public spaces weekly
- Note: With feed manipulation, you may need to ask around in person or check local flyers
HUNGER HOTLINE
- 1-800-884-1136
- Connects to local food resources
211 - Call to find:
- Soup kitchens
- Community meals
- Senior meal programs (often open to all)
Places of Worship:
- Many offer free community meals
- Check local churches, mosques, temples, synagogues
Sikh Gurdwaras (worldwide):
- Langar (free community meal)
- Open to everyone, no questions asked, found globally
- Ask locals or look for Sikh temples/gurdwaras in your area
Free Food Apps
Too Good To Go
- Discounted food from restaurants/stores
- App: iOS & Android
Olio
- Neighbors sharing surplus food
- App: iOS & Android
Healthcare
Medical Care
Community Health Centers
- Sliding scale based on income
- Find: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- Dental, mental health, primary care
Free/Low-Cost Clinics:
- freeclinics.com
- By state/zip code
Planned Parenthood
- Reproductive health, STI testing, contraception
- Sliding scale
- plannedparenthood.org
Prescriptions
NeedyMeds
- Drug discount cards, patient assistance programs
- needymeds.org
GoodRx
- Prescription discount codes
- goodrx.com
Pharmacy Assistance Programs:
- Most drug manufacturers offer assistance
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist
Mental Health Care
See: Therapy & Mental Health Resources
SAMHSA National Helpline
- 1-800-662-4357
- Free, confidential, 24/7
- Referrals to local treatment
Money & Financial Assistance
Emergency Cash Assistance
Modest Needs
- modestneeds.org
- Small emergency grants
BeenVerified Assistance
- Various mutual aid funds
- Check r/Assistance (Reddit)
211 - Local emergency financial assistance
Unemployment Benefits
Apply: Contact your state unemployment office Federal site: dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance
Disability Benefits (SSI/SSDI)
Apply: ssa.gov/disability Help applying: Disability Rights organizations in your state
Transportation
Reduced Fare Programs:
- Most cities offer low-income transit passes
- Contact local transit authority
Uber/Lyft Health:
- Some insurance/Medicaid covers rides to medical appointments
Gas Cards:
- Local charities often provide
- Ask at 211
Legal Help
Free Legal Aid
Legal Services Corporation
- Find local free legal aid
- lsc.gov/find-legal-aid
LawHelp.org
- Free legal information by state
- lawhelp.org
Specific Legal Issues
Eviction Defense:
- Tenants’ rights organizations
- Legal aid societies
- justfix.org (NYC)
Immigration:
- immigrationadvocates.org
- Find free/low-cost immigration lawyers
Domestic Violence:
- womenslaw.org
- Legal info, lawyer directory
LGBTQ+ Resources
The Trevor Project (Youth under 25)
- Crisis: Call/text 1-866-488-7386
- thetrevorproject.org
- Housing, mental health, resources
Trans Lifeline
- 877-565-8860 (US)
- 877-330-6366 (Canada)
- Peer support by/for trans people
LGBTQ+ Community Centers:
- lgbtcenters.org/LGBTCenters
- Many offer emergency assistance
SAGE (LGBTQ+ Elders)
- sageusa.org
- Housing, healthcare, support
Disability-Specific Resources
Disability Rights Resources:
- Each state has a Disability Rights organization
- Find yours: ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-agencies
Benefits Assistance:
- Benefits.gov - See what you qualify for
- benefits.gov
Hearing/Speech:
- 711 - Telecommunications Relay Service
Job Search & Training
American Job Centers
- careeronestop.org
- Job search, training, resume help
Goodwill/Salvation Army Job Training:
- Free job training programs
- Local centers
SkillsUSA, Year Up, Per Scholas:
- Free tech training programs for low-income individuals
Internet & Phone
Lifeline Program
- Free/discounted phone & internet for low-income
- lifelinesupport.org
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- $30/month internet discount
- fcc.gov/acp
Free WiFi:
- Public libraries
- Coffee shops (Starbucks, etc.)
- Community centers
For Immigrants & Refugees
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
International Rescue Committee
Catholic Charities Immigration Services:
- catholiccharitiesusa.org
- Secular services, all faiths welcome
RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
- raicestexas.org
- Legal services, bond assistance
For People Leaving Prison
National Reentry Resource Center
Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO) - NYC
Local Reentry Programs:
- Search “[your city] reentry services”
For Parents
Childcare Assistance:
- Child Care Aware: childcareaware.org
- Find subsidized childcare
School Meals:
- Free/reduced lunch programs
- Ask at your child’s school
Diapers:
- National Diaper Bank Network: nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org
Mutual Aid Networks
Why Mutual Aid Matters Now (Nov 2025)
Government resources are being shut down. Community-based mutual aid is more reliable than government programs.
Information is being manipulated. You can’t always find resources through Google search or social media feeds. Trust peer networks and in-person organizing.
Find Local Mutual Aid
⚠️ Finding resources is harder now:
- Feeds are manipulated - Can’t find protests or organizing on Google
- Try multiple sources - Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram groups
- Ask in person - Community centers, libraries, local shops
- Look for flyers - Physical bulletin boards, street posts
- Word of mouth - Ask people you trust
- Local organizing meetings - Show up in person
Mutual Aid Hub
- mutualaidhub.org
- Map of local mutual aid groups
- May not be fully updated due to information suppression
Town-Specific Mutual Aid:
- Search “[your city] mutual aid” on multiple platforms (Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp)
- Many operate underground or semi-privately now
- Facebook/Instagram may not show results due to feed manipulation
Food Not Bombs
- foodnotbombs.net
- 500+ chapters worldwide
- Autonomous, harder to shut down
- Ask around your city - they usually serve in same location weekly
How Mutual Aid Works
- Not charity - Horizontal support
- No means testing - If you need, you need
- Give what you can, take what you need
- Community-based - Not reliant on government funding
- Harder to shut down - Decentralized, autonomous
Examples of what mutual aid groups offer:
- Food/grocery delivery
- Rent assistance
- Transportation
- Childcare
- Prescription help
- Translation services
- Hormone sharing (trans mutual aid)
- Safe housing networks
Crisis Lines (Quick Reference)
Emergency: 911
Suicide/Crisis: 988 (call or text)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233
RAINN (Sexual Assault): 1-800-656-4673
SAMHSA (Mental Health/Substance): 1-800-662-4357
Homeless Hotline: 1-877-474-3583
Runaway/Youth: 1-800-786-2929
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): 1-866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
National Helpline for Resources: 211
Remember
Needing help doesn’t make you weak. Mutual aid is how we survive.
Start with 211 or findhelp.org if you’re overwhelmed—they’ll connect you to local resources.
See Also: