What Is a Safety Plan?

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in a relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. Safety planning involves how to cope with emotions, tell friends and family about the abuse, take legal action and more.

At The Hotline we safety plan with victims, friends and family members — anyone who is concerned about their own safety or the safety of someone else.

A good safety plan will have all of the vital information you need and be tailored to your unique situation and will help walk you through different scenarios.

Although some of the things that you outline in your safety plan may seem obvious, it’s important to remember that in moments of crisis your brain doesn’t function the same way as when you are calm. When adrenaline is pumping through your veins it can be hard to think clearly or make logical decisions about your safety. Having a safety plan laid out in advance can help you to protect yourself in those stressful moments.

If you witness or have any concerns regarding Domestic Abuse … Please contact us immediately for assistance.

Homelessness declined in 2005 and accelerated after the Recession. Between early 2010 and early 2016:

• The number of people experiencing homelessness at a point-in-time declined 13 percent (from 637,000 to 550,000).

• Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness declined 27 percent (from 106,100 to 77,500).

• Veterans experiencing homelessness declined from 65,500 (in 2011) to 39,500 (39.7 percent).

• Families with children experiencing homelessness declined from 79,400 to 65,000 (18.1 percent).

Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about homelessness and our role in helping to end homelessness in America.

Q: How many people are homeless?

A: On a given night in 2017, 553,742 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. Over the course of an entire year, in 2016, more than 1.4 million people used an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs consider a person to be homeless if they are sleeping outside, in a place not meant for human habitation such as a car or abandoned building, or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program. Other federal agencies have different definitions for homelessness.

Q: Who experiences homelessness?

A: On a single night in 2017, an estimated:

184,661 people in families, including children, experienced homelessness.

369,081 single individuals experienced homelessness.

86,962 single individuals with a disabling condition experienced chronic homelessness.

40,056 veterans experienced homelessness.

Q: Why do people become homeless?

A: Reasons vary, but the main reason people become homeless is that they cannot find housing they can afford. Other factors can include a chronic health condition, domestic violence, and systemic inequality.

Q: Is there a solution to homelessness?

A: Yes. A home. To end homelessness, the nation will need an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to lower income households. Until that problem is solved, the homeless system will help people quickly return to housing, connect to employment, and get needed services and support.

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact us directly.