Handjobs.

Back when I could afford it, I gave out care packages with foods that could keep without refrigeration and didn't have to be cooked, basic first-aid supplies, reading material, warm socks, and 2 joints. I'd also want to include hygene products but other than women specific needs and deordorant, there's not much in the way I could think of that could work even if they don't have access to water.

Or any other job that pays a living wage.

Socks. Underwear. For women, hygiene products.

When I was text book definition homeless (I slept on couches for half a year during college), all I wanted was cheap rent. I feel like we tend to only focus on the homeless we see with our eyes, and not the homeless families out there living in shelters.

Therapy. Many of the homeless have mental illness and/or substance dependency.

Homes. Things like the Tiny Homes project make a huge difference to peoples ability to get back on their feet and access other support channels

“Handjobs not handouts!”

A handjob is still a job.

Food, beer, and weed. Not necessarily in that order. We can provide for ourselves pretty well. But those three definitely help with day to day life quality.

If you are able to do a load of laundry for them, that's a huge help.

I needed a place to stay where I could sleep, eat, bathe, and apply for jobs (so, internet). I also needed rides to go check out a few cars before I had one of my own. And a place to store a few boxes of belongings.

Physical items would not have helped me in any way (unless you include housing and a car in that--where I was had no public transit).

Edit: There was a very brief period where access to a washer/dryer would have been amazing. Failing that, new underwear and socks.

better laws.

if houses/apartments are expensive the poor lose first so ensure it is legal to build tiny houses, shared bathroom/kitchen apartments... ensure there isn't so much paperwork that only expensive places can apply. Be careful about tenat rights - they are needed but don't lost sight of landlord rights in the process.

some are homeless because society has left no optians - things are getting better but there are still some out there that can't be anything else because if they get a job their ex takes all they earn anyway.

Unfortunantly the problem is hard. we know from painful experience that the abuse in institutions is often so bad risking freezing to death is the more human option. Be careful that what you propose / support isn't also worse.

Unconditional shelter.

When I lived out of my car, peanut butter was my main staple since it would survive well at about any temperature. I survived off that, bread from a bakery outlet, and, when the weather was cool enough, cheese.

Edit: for non-food, grooming/hygiene supplies are generally good.

Shoes (not worn out)
Socks
Clean Clothes
A Warm Coat
A Blanket
Food that does not require refrigeration or cooking.
Soap
Toothbrush, Toothpaste

That would be the minimum to at least help.
Money
Shelter
Compassion
Job Training
Employment
is really what the homeless community needs.

And to prevent homelessness we need;
Jobs with a livable wage
Workers rights
Tax the rich
Public, affordable healthcare, which includes dental & vision.

Lots of alcoholism in the homeless community. Happy to give a little weed though

New socks are always appreciated.

Why would you want to be driven to smaller towns?

When we lived in a big city, we would hit the occasional Costco sale, then go out and hand out blankets, tents, tarps, water, socks, and warm clothing. Also, toys and school supplies.

In a smaller city, donations to the local food and housing groups, school fundraisers to help cover costs for books and supplies for those who can't afford it, and refilling the neighborhood open-access fridge.

Basic responsibility to pay it forward.

We don't have the luxury of space to build out mini-bunglow sprawl. We're already over capacity with the regular sprawl. This notion that we all deserve white picket-fenced yards is antiquated.

Better laws means actual affordable housing: subsidized housing based on income levels, so the poorest can have a place to sleep and bathe securely and peacefully. There's nothing that necessitates tiny bungalow jungles and the hideous infrastructure convolutions they demand.

Can't fucking believe someone downvoted us for speaking our mind. No worries, I'm used to it. Get a lot worse on the street, just bizarre how disconnected from reality some people are.

Yeah, lots of alcoholics. I mean lots of drugs overall. A lot of the times it's the reason we become homeless. A lot of the rest of the time we become addicts after becoming homeless. You hang out with the same people day in day out, and it becomes like kind of a fraternity. In some weird way it's more honest than "housed society". It's like, it reminded me a lot of the army in a way. You're constantly on your feet, constantly working, constantly hustling, constantly hungry, constantly fighting, constantly on edge, right? And just like in the army you quickly grow tight knit connections with people, because you go through the same fucking struggle every day, not necessarily together, but sometimes, but in any case, at the end of the day, there's no pretention, there's no grandstanding, we're all a bunch of dirty old bums scrounging for food in trash cans, there's no room for formalities if you catch my drift.

You ever been homeless? It's... A humbling experience. A valuable one. Sure as fuck makes you appreciate everything around you a lot more, and sure as fuck makes you realize just how little you actually need to survive, and how bountiful society actually is, and how fighting for survival awakes deep primal instincts in you that you didn't know you had.

Sorry for rambling, just happened I suppose. Peace.

Stewart Hicks noted that a lot of housing being built now are urban studios.

https://youtu.be/ejPOLhfBpy8

This kind of housing is in very high demand, but it can only really get built in places with decent transit.

I don't think I'm qualified to hand that out.

And that's a shame. If in the US, I'm sorry. If in Europe, there's resources.

I have known a few homeless people, and it's mostly socks, good footwear that can take a daily beating for years on end. And someone to give them a chance to work and improve their situation.

Never donate anything made of cotton in the winter. It kills people.