If You Were Suddenly Homeless What Would You Do?

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

SF VIP
Location
New Jersey
For many years now I've been seeing reports of not only house fires, but explosions in apartment buildings and once in an entire neighborhood, building collapses (there was one in Hackensack, N.J. a few years ago), earthquakes, sinkholes and of course devastating weather events. Now these disasters seem to have escalated. I'm sure people who never dreamed in a million years they'd join the ranks of the homeless and maybe even looked down on those who were, now find themselves in that predicament.

I've wondered for quite a few years (in fact this was one of my "What ifs")....what would I do if I was suddenly homeless? First I'd put whatever was salvageable in storage until I could find another permanent residence. I even asked a guest services manager at my timeshare how long I could stay if such an emergency occurred. He said I could probably stay for a couple of months at a time. I would have my choice of thousands of resorts to stay at through RCI (exchange club) when I could no longer stay at the home resort in Atlantic City, but I'd be looking to stay somewhere in the eastern states, preferably near the ocean. This would satisfy my vagabond heart. Another option would be to stay with my honorary son and his fiancee who have an extra bedroom for a while. They live in Tampa. I'm sure my close family would do what they could to accommodate me. But me being a private person and one who certainly wouldn't want to inconvenience them (some are short on space), I'd try these other options first. Copies of important documents and photos can be accessed online. My bills are on auto pay and of course banking online is easy and convenient.

I just pray that none of us here ever have to face a devastating situation like that.
 

In this area, the Red Cross provides short-term emergency housing assistance for people that are displaced by fire, flood, etc...

After a night or two of that, I would probably book a room/suite in one of the extended-stay business hotels while I looked for a new apartment.

cresthill-suites-syracuse.jpg
 
This one is going to take some thought, and even then I will have to set some boundaries to the extent of the problem. Is it just my neighborhood or wide spread, did my car survive, can my in-area friends help?

I was involved with the local County Red Cross Disaster Relief program for a number of years and these situations can get complex in a hurry. Our biggest threat around here is forest fires, not hurricanes like I expected. The most recent big evacuation problem happened about 15 years ago when a railroad accident released several carloads of chlorine gas a few miles from here. We were on higher ground and were safe, but a lot of people were seriously injured and the cleanup took weeks.

We have had several evacuations to this area from the coast when hurricanes come into South Carolina. Setting up emergency shelters and feeding all these people is a challenge. I was surprised that we did not have an adequate supply of cots on hand.
 
Pecos said:
This one is going to take some thought, and even then I will have to set some boundaries to the extent of the problem. Is it just my neighborhood or wide spread, did my car survive, can my in-area friends help?

I was involved with the local County Red Cross Disaster Relief program for a number of years and these situations can get complex in a hurry. Our biggest threat around here is forest fires, not hurricanes like I expected. The most recent big evacuation problem happened about 15 years ago when a railroad accident released several carloads of chlorine gas a few miles from here. We were on higher ground and were safe, but a lot of people were seriously injured and the cleanup took weeks.

We have had several evacuations to this area from the coast when hurricanes come into South Carolina. Setting up emergency shelters and feeding all these people is a challenge. I was surprised that we did not have an adequate supply of cots on hand.
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I remember reading about a couple of train accidents during which toxic chemicals were released causing evacuations. I don't know if the one you wrote about was one though. Your insight about what the Red Cross has to contend with is an eye opening reminder. Good points too about the different circumstances that would influence your decisions about what to do. I'm also surprised that forest fires are the biggest threat ! Stay safe MB!!
 
I'd check with the local Aging facilities for tips as to what to do.

[ADDED] That is, after I'd looked for other accommodations. If no joy, then the above.

[Edited to correct "so" to "no".]
 
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My sister in law would let us stay with her until we found a new permanent residence and we would do the same for her.

We could also stay with friends and other family members if we really had to but weā€™d rather not.

We would store our stuff in professional storage and possibly rent or buy a trailer and go traveling for a while. Weā€™d make the most of it. We always do.

Thereā€™s endless possibilities
 
Ceege said:
I would go to my son's house or a motel. There is a provision in my home owner's insurance that would help pay for a motel stay.

Or, I 'll come stay with you.
What's your address???
:LOL::ROFLMAO:šŸ˜ŠView attachment 173962
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Yes, my homeowners insurance would pay for my stays as well. My address is 111-111 Apt 1, Main Street, Anytown, USA. LOL :ROFLMAO:
 
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Devi said:
Huh, @Keesha. I forgot that we have relatives in this area. Still, I'm pretty independent (as is my husband). We'd far rather solve our own problems than bunk with relatives, even temporarily.
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We have friends and relatives in the area but we wouldnā€™t do that unless we absolutely have to. Itā€™s more likely that we wouldnā€™t.
Bunking with friends or relatives is putting a needless strain on the relationship for sure but we do get along with my husbands sister really well. Each one of us would do whatever we can for each other if in need and the reason ā€˜whyā€™ this is so meaningful is because none of us would take advantage of each other which is why we have a good relationship.
 
All my kids have a room designated for Dad because they think 66 is really old. Actually, I'm joking; it's because I was in a wheelchair for a couple years. I'm getting around just fine since my last surgery, but still, at the off-chance my wife and I became permanently homeless, I'd want to split each year into thirds and live with each of my kids (Michelle doesn't have any children), or if temporary, with my daughter.
 
I'm not 100% sure. My cats would be my number one concern. I live in town but as stated in another thread, on the edge with hills to the east and there are a lot of trees in this neighborhood. I'm in a complex but there is more residential housing up the road.

As long as I had the cats, I'd just try to find someplace to live. I know a woman who's house burned and she now lives in a 1600sf house alone and has told me I could stay with her if ever needed.
 
THis is a great topic to think about. As you think about it, another good thing to think about is something called a bug out bag. If you had to leave Dodge NOW, what would you need to be sure you had with you? Medicines and copies of important documents, some money, eyeglasses, something to eat, warm clothes, etc, etc. The idea is all this stuff is packed ahead of time, in a bag or container, that is accessible to grab as you are running out of the front door. Exactly what you need varies from person to person, that's why it is good to think about ahead of time and be prepared.
 
For me the question would be, "What would I want to do long range". Rebuild or move to an apartment where I wouldn't have to be concerned with grass getting cut or snow being shoveled. But, would I be happy hearing my neighbors through the walls or waiting for a repair being done by the landlord?

I'm just not ready to move in with my son and daughter-in-law. We all get along great, but it just wouldn't be my place.
 
HarryHawk said:
THis is a great topic to think about. As you think about it, another good thing to think about is something called a bug out bag. If you had to leave Dodge NOW, what would you need to be sure you had with you? Medicines and copies of important documents, some money, eyeglasses, something to eat, warm clothes, etc, etc. The idea is all this stuff is packed ahead of time, in a bag or container, that is accessible to grab as you are running out of the front door. Exactly what you need varies from person to person, that's why it is good to think about ahead of time and be prepared.
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And there was just such a thread recently posted asking about having an emergency bag. I also posted a similar thread last year. You can see by my answer, I have the bases you mentioned covered. Here's the latest one:
https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/emergency-bag-packed.61966/
 
You know the sad part of my horrible experience of the house fire it was 4 days before Christmas ,
I came close to being killed by the ceiling collapsing and hitting me on the side of the head and singed my hair while I was trying to rescue a few blankets for my kids .

I clearly remember dropping them out in-the open area by a huge verandah ā€¦but someone took the best of the bedspreads off the girls beds Iā€™d got out ..never to be seen again
They were pink with chenille with ballerinas on them in fact my daughter who was 6 at the time still remembers the missing bedspreads
 
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