11 Homeless Survival Tips | How To Survive On The Streets

Learn these homeless survival tips and know how to survive homeless because you never know when they could be useful sooner or later!

RELATED: Top Survival Skills | Learn Now, Survive Later

Homeless Survival Tips and Tricks to Learn From

1. Collect Old Newspapers

First up on our homeless survival tips list is to gather as many newspapers as you can. Newspapers are fine tools since they have many uses and are accessible, especially on the streets.

For example, you can use it to improve your shelter or as bedding for you to sleep on. You can also use it to cover yourself up for insulation or burn it for fire.

The newspaper is also a source of information for current events, even entertainment to keep your mind off your situation. It’s best to know what’s going on around you so you’re prepared for what might possibly happen.

Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Find Where to Sleep

One of the main concerns of being homeless is where to sleep or rest, too. There are shelters for the homeless or abandoned buildings you can temporarily stay in, though.

You need to check the structure of the building as it may already be weak since it’s abandoned. Find a spot closer to the exit or beneath a support beam so it’s safer.

In case you don’t find shelter and you’re forced to sleep on the streets, try finding a spot where there are other homeless people. This area is probably where the police won’t bother them, and there’s also safety in numbers.

It’s also possible they’ll intimidate you, so you need to prepare for that. If you want to have a more intimate spot though, try looking for bushy areas.

Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Find Practical Clothes

It’s hard to survive as a homeless person if you don’t wear the right kind of clothes. So wear enough to cover your body and keep you warm but not hot.

You can wear long sleeves and layers of thin clothes. A pair of zip-off cargo pants is also a good choice since you can easily switch from pants to shorts. The pockets could also give you extra storage for your essentials.

4. Keep Yourself Warm

When winter comes up, store thick winter coats, wool beanies, and lots of socks in your survival gear. Besides practical clothes, you need other items to keep you warm in your survival gear.

You can also get your hands on a thermal blanket if you can. But if there are not enough to maintain body heat, boil water and place it inside water bottles.

Then, surround yourself with these hot water bottles before covering yourself with blankets. They can keep you warm and protect your hands from frostbite, indeed.

5. Keep a Clean Look

Try to keep yourself neat, even if the chance of taking a shower does not come by often. So, make it a point to store wet wipes in your survival gear.

Go to public toilets where you have access to running water and clean yourself properly. By keeping a clean look, you can improve your self-confidence and have a more positive outlook on life.

Making yourself presentable will help you gain friends and handouts easier, too. That’s because people are most likely to respond positively to someone who looks clean. Having a clean look also makes it easier for you to blend in and not be shooed away by security guards.

Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Recycle Your Things

Your old torn shirts, pants, or shoelaces can turn into a rope, bandages for first aid, or sweatbands. If you have a hat, you can use it for collecting water or a sort of a basket for carrying goods.

Use your creativity and imagination and repurpose things to your advantage. That way, you wouldn’t need more things to carry around while you’re on the street.

RELATED: Lost In The Woods 101: What To Do When Lost In The Woods

7. Get a Companion

Find yourself a stray pet dog that will serve as both your friend and companion. Even though you’ll have another mouth to feed, you’ll find they’re worth it.

Your pet dog can even be your bodyguard, protecting you from thieves and harassers, too. In fact, dogs are loyal animals that will stick with you through thick and thin — just as you need.

Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. Keep Your Things Close

Never leave your things unattended because others may be worse off than you. Always have them beside you and don’t get too comfortable, even if the place looks safe.

You can’t afford getting robbed when you’re homeless since you have limited resources, so have your things packed and always prepared to leave when you need to. Cops and other homeless groups might kick you out.

9. Avoid Fighting

This is among the basic survival skills you need to learn while you’re out in the streets. That is to avoid conflict at all costs.

Unless you’re physically attacked and need to defend yourself, fighting simply isn’t worth it. You may end up with scratches, bruises, or even broken bones, and this is a bad thing if you don’t have access to a clinic or hospital.

Worse, a cop may pick you up so what happens then? That’s why you need to stay calm and always walk away from trouble before they even begin.

10. Keep a First Aid Kit

Always keep a first-aid kit in your survival gear because in your situation anything can happen. What’s even worse is you don’t have easy access to medical facilities so you have to rely on your own.

You can recycle some of your things to apply first aid, but you really need to have medicines with you. Pain relievers, antiseptic solution, and antibacterial ointments are some of the items you need.

Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

11. Store Food

Buying food or even scavenging is sometimes not an option, so you need to store food in your survival gear. Of course, you must keep long-storing food and food that fills you up like canned goods, beef jerky, trail mix, and so on.

Here’s one more to add to these homeless survival tips: keep refillable bottles. You can fill them with water from gas stations or restaurants for drinking or washing.

Take note that while all these homeless survival tips help, the most important thing is to never lose hope. Things will get better eventually but for now, take these homeless survival tips.

Watch this video by Bicycle Touring Pro so you can learn some stealth camping survival tips that may help you survive the streets:

There are many reasons people become homeless including financial collapse, natural disasters, and lack of support system from friends and family. If you’re wondering what is it like to be homeless, the list above will give you a good idea.

Although nobody aims to be homeless, it’s better to know some homeless survival tips to use for life in the streets in case SHTF!

What other homeless survival tips can you add to the list? Share them in the comments section below!

Up Next:

• Disaster Survival Skills For Every Situation
• 8 Steps To Survive Anything
• Outdoor Survival Skills | Tell Time In The Wild Without A Watch

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr!**Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here**Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 6, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.