How to Get Grants And Help For Homeless Children And Families

Grant funding and assistance is available to help homeless children and their families get into a better situation. Funding is also available to prevent homelessness and keep a family in their home.

Instructions

1. Think twice before allowing the family move in with you. While you may see it as a short term way to bandage a problem it can actually cause more issues. In most states once you let someone stay at your house you can not just kick them out or send them to a shelter. Most shelters will only take families that are not in a housing unit. Meaning if staying with friends, family or just someone they met they can not just go to a shelter when a room opens up. This rule generally does not apply to families that are staying in a hotel or camping. Not saying you should let a infant stay outside in the cold, but caution should be used. Sometimes putting up the family in a cheap hotel will put the family on a immediate list for housing. Many times families will be able to get at least a studio apartment or private room within a two or three days of staying in a hotel (not counting weekends).

2. If children are still in jeopardy, consider helping parents find shelters for kids. While the parents will not be able to stay the night, they are supervised by workers daycare workers and caring staff. Kids will be provided food, shelter, clothes and a place to play. Parents are usually able to visit during day hours. In many places if a family has to send their kids to a children shelter then they will be put higher on the list receive housing. (Family services will have a list of kids shelters in your area) Kid shelters are paid for by government and private grant funds to help insure kids are safe. Most shelter will not turn kids away.

3. 

   Access the situation at hand. For example if a mother is trying to leave a abusive husband and take her kids with her, focus on that instead of the homeless situation. For the example situation you can contact a women's shelter. Most women shelter's will take children also. They typically have funding to help a mother get into a better situation as far as moving if needed or even sending them to a families house in a different state. Some shelters have programs to help the women avoid homelessness and keep their children off the street by assisting them with employment and education issues.

4. If the homeless family has a veteran or if one of the children's parents are a veteran contact your local veterans center. They will have contact info and sometimes will have housing assistance programs.

5. 

   Contact the US Department of housing or H.U.D. to get assistance or grant money for a family to help pay rent or to find a more affordable housing situation to prevent families in becoming homeless.

Tips & Warnings

• Churches are a great source to find financial help with small costs to get family into a safe environment. For example, many churches may consider helping a family pay for a few days motel stay so they can get into a shelter.

Resources

• Reccomended Books on Grant Funding
• How to Write a Hardship Letter For A Crisis Grant
• How to Consolidate Debt With Grants
• How to Fill Out a Government Grant Application
• How to Apply For A Mini Grant
• How to Find Grants For Single Parents
• How to find grants to pay for unexpected expenses.
• How to Find Government Grants to Pay Off Bills
• How to Find Charity Funds To Pay Bills