When You Don't Know Where to Turn

Losing your housing or worrying about where you will sleep can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with an unexpected job loss, rising rent, family problems, medical expenses, or another situation that has made it difficult to keep a stable home.

If you're experiencing homelessness in Arizona, you're not alone. Help may be available, even if you don't know where to begin.

Finding assistance can take time, and available services vary by location. However, knowing which organizations to contact can help you start exploring your options.

1. Start With 2-1-1 Arizona

One of the easiest places to begin is 2-1-1 Arizona, a statewide information and referral service that helps people connect with local resources.

Depending on your location and eligibility, you may be able to get information about:

• Emergency shelter and housing options
• Food banks and meal programs
• Utility assistance
• Employment and education services
• Healthcare and other community programs

Visit 2-1-1 Arizona to explore available resources or contact its information and referral service. Its published operating hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with assistance in English, Spanish, and other languages through interpretation.

When you contact a resource service, explain your immediate situation. Let them know if you need somewhere to sleep tonight, have children with you, have a disability, or face transportation barriers. These details may help them identify more relevant options.

2. Look for Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance

If you need a safe place to stay, start by asking about emergency shelters and housing programs in your area.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Arizona resource page directs people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to call 2-1-1 and press 6 for homeless services.

You can also ask about:

• Emergency shelter availability
• Transitional housing programs
• Rental assistance or eviction-prevention services
• Programs for families with children
• Support for veterans
• Services for people leaving unsafe living situations

Not every program has immediate openings, and some have specific eligibility requirements. If one organization cannot help, ask whether it can refer you to another provider.

If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services. If you are leaving an abusive situation, consider reaching out to a domestic violence service for confidential safety planning.

3. Find Food and Essential Supplies

When housing is uncertain, everyday necessities can become harder to afford. Food, hygiene products, clean clothing, laundry access, and transportation may all become urgent concerns.

You can use 2-1-1 Arizona to look for local food banks, meal programs, and other assistance. You can also explore Arizona's Department of Economic Security for information about food assistance and other eligible support programs.

When contacting a food pantry or community organization, ask about its hours, service area, identification requirements, and whether an appointment is needed. Requirements differ between providers.

If you are staying in your car, outdoors, or temporarily with other people, mention that when asking for help. It can help the organization understand your circumstances and direct you to appropriate services.

4. Explore Help With Rent and Utility Bills

You don't have to wait until you lose your housing to ask for assistance. If you are behind on rent, have received an eviction notice, or are struggling to pay utilities, seek help as early as possible.

Potential starting points include:

• 2-1-1 Arizona: Ask about current rental assistance, utility programs, and local nonprofit services.
• Arizona Department of Economic Security: Explore available assistance programs and community resources.
• Housing counselors: Ask about housing counseling and options for addressing housing-related financial difficulties.
• Legal aid organizations: If you have received an eviction notice or are unsure about your rights, ask whether you qualify for legal assistance.

Funding and eligibility can change, so a program that helped someone else may not currently be available to you. Contact providers directly to confirm their requirements and whether they are accepting applications.

Keep copies of rental notices, bills, applications, and communications with landlords or assistance agencies. Having these documents organized may make it easier to explain your situation.

5. Know That Housing Discrimination May Be Reportable

People experiencing housing instability may also face discrimination when trying to rent or secure housing.

Arizona and federal fair housing laws protect against certain forms of housing discrimination, including discrimination based on disability and other legally protected characteristics.

Examples of potential concerns include being denied housing because of a protected characteristic or being refused a qualifying disability-related accommodation.

If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, the Arizona Attorney General's Fair Housing page explains protected rights and how to learn about filing a complaint.

Housing laws can be complicated, and whether a particular situation violates the law depends on its circumstances. Consider seeking qualified legal assistance if you need advice about your situation.

6. Ask About Support for Your Specific Circumstances

There is no single solution that works for everyone. When seeking help, ask whether an organization offers services for your particular circumstances.

For example:

Families with children: Ask about family shelters, housing programs, food assistance, and school-based support.

Veterans: Ask about veteran-specific housing and support services. HUD also lists veteran housing resources on its Arizona page.

People with disabilities: Ask about accessible housing, accommodations, transportation, and disability-related services.

People leaving an unsafe home: Ask about confidential shelter options and safety planning.

People facing job loss or financial hardship: Ask about employment assistance, benefits screening, utility support, and housing-stability programs.

You do not need to know the name of a specific program before asking for help. Start by explaining what you need and asking which services may be available.

7. What If You Don't Know Where to Start?

When everything feels urgent, it can be difficult to decide what to do first. Try focusing on the most immediate needs before tackling everything at once.

1. Identify your immediate safety needs. Determine whether you have a safe place to sleep tonight and access to food, water, and necessary medication.
2. Contact a local referral service. Start with 2-1-1 Arizona and explain your circumstances.
3. Ask about eligibility and availability. Confirm whether a program has openings, what documents it requires, and how to apply.
4. Keep important information together. Save contact details, application numbers, notices, and appointment information.
5. Ask for another referral if needed. If one service cannot assist, ask where else you can turn.

You may not find a solution in one phone call. That doesn't mean you have run out of options. Continue contacting appropriate organizations and asking about alternatives.



You Deserve Support, Not Judgment

Experiencing homelessness does not define your worth or determine your future. People can lose stable housing for many different reasons, and asking for assistance is a practical step toward finding a way forward. Call Christina Now believes people deserve access to information, support, and resources when life becomes difficult. Although we cannot guarantee housing placement or assistance eligibility, we encourage you to explore the resources available in your community and ask for help when you need it.

Start with one step today: Visit 2-1-1 Arizona to look for services in your area.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.