When you think of homelessness what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Someone pushing around a cart of all their belongings, someone on the corner asking for money or donations, or someone sleeping outside? Homelessness can be in all shapes and forms and could look like someone dressed nicely and well put together or someone like what we just described. The true definition of homelessness is a state of being unhoused or unsheltered which is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and adequate housing.
Despite the stereotypical idea of what homelessness is and what it looks like there are actually four different types of homelessness. They are episodic, transitional, chronic, and hidden. Each present their own set of struggles that they have to face and overcome to find permanent housing and each of these types of homelessness effects people in a variety of different ways.
Transitional Homelessness
Transitional homelessness is the most common type of homelessness, and it is a state of homelessness that is a result of major life changes or a catastrophic event. Like job loss, a health condition, divorce, domestic abuse, substance use disorder, or personal family crisis.
Cronic Homelessness 
Cronic homelessness is an unaccompanied homeless individual with disabling condition and who has been homeless for more than a year or repeatedly. It is most common for individuals battling disabilities, mental health issues, or addiction.
Episodic Homelessness
A person that has experienced on- and- off periods of homeless
ness or have experienced three episodes of homelessness within a year. They are often younger and suffer from a disability, substance abuse, mental illness, or medical illnesses.
Hidden Homelessness
An unaccompanied individual, who has been continuously homeless for longer than a year, with a minimum of 4 episodes in the past year. This individual lives on the street or some other place that is unintended for human residence.
Source: https://lowincomerelief.com/what-are-the-4-types-of-homelessness
There are many things we can do to help promote change and help people struggling with housing. Some main things we can do to help are starting food drives, donating clothes, donating personal health products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, etc. We can start these projects at school, work, or local churches. Another thing we can do to help is providing better health care for mental and physical health, jobs, or a place to stay like shelters.
Here some of the local shelter that will help people who are dealing with homelessness
Things you can donate at your local shelters
During the holidays homelessness people, organizations and more get extra special attention. There are many organizations, churches and shelters around the city that are working to ensure that the homeless are just as good as fortunate people.
Shelters Near You
Want To Contribute To Helping The Homeless ?
Location - 1021 Burt Street Saginaw, Mi 48607
Location - 325 Cherry St, Saginaw, MI 48601
Location - 1803 Norman St, Saginaw, MI 48601
Location - 1205 Norman St, Saginaw, MI 48601
Location - 1230 S Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601
Food Services
- Churches are also trying to contribute to helping the homeless as well by passing out/giving out food to the less fortunate and people in need with money people donated and more.
Center Road Church Of Christ - (989) 790-2707
Location - 1325 N Center Rd Saginaw, MI 48638-5511
Food Bank (1st & 3rd Wednesdays Every Month 9:00-11:00 A.M.)
Old Town Christian Out Reach Soup Kitchen - (989) 249-8696
This church created a comfortable dining area where the hungry can enjoy a home-cooked, nutritious meal for free.
Pantry Opening Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday, 11:30 a..m. - 12:15 p.m.
