Where Can the Homeless Legally Sleep?

"Are Homeless People Allowed to Sleep in Parks After Hours?" "Are Homeless People Allowed to Sleep in Parks After Hours?" | In this video, attorney Anthony Bandiero discusses the legality of sleeping in city parks. Load video

Never sleep at a park. Cops patrol parks at night. Rangers come and go. The video above explains the park problem. Know where you can sleep without breaking the law.

Here are the 10 places you can legally sleep when homeless without breaking the law:

10) CHURCHES

The first place you can legally sleep is in churches. Churches are great because you can relax. Church owners are good people. They may even be able to help with other things you need. Because churches are private property, you can't get ticketed for trespassing.

churches are private property

A while back, I used to park and sleep in front of a church. There were always homeless people sleeping on its steps too. We were there every night. Cops never messed with us. The reason why is that churches are on private property. As long as the church owner allows you to be there, you're good. And they usually do give permission. Behind 7-Elevens, by contrast, you awake to a ticket. But at churches, not only do not wake up to cops, but sometimes you even awake to breakfast.

9) DISPERSED CAMP ZONES

Existing far away from civilization, far away from laws against sleeping in the great outdoors, federal land reserves exist in the wilderness. These spots are great because of their scenery. They offer a break from the stress of homelessness. Dispersed camping zones are free, legal, and peaceful.

camping free of charge

What's great about dispersed camping is it's 100% free. No park ranger wakes you in the morning to collect camping fees. Regular campgrounds, by contrast, cost $30 to $60 per night. The only cost for dispersed camping zones is party supplies. You'll have to bring your own beer.

the upside

In addition to free, dispersed camping zones are also legit. They are 100% legal. You won't find many legal places in the city like that. But out in the wilderness, even if you get caught you're good.

relief

When dealing with the stress of homelessness, sometimes time in nature is exactly what the doctor ordered. It provides a sense of escape from the bleakness of helplessness. Nature provides a chance to process your situation. Many homeless like to go there to figure out what they're going to do next. DISPERSED camping zones are a place to figure out how you're going to get out of homelessness.

the downsides

Be advised, though, that limitations exist on how long you can stay. Most only allow for less than ten days a month. After ten though, you can just move down the road five or ten miles. The laws say you just can't stay in one spot.

in bumsuck egypt

The only other downside is that they exist in the middle of nowhere. So with no car, you're out of luck. The same goes for gas money. But if you have a car and can afford it, pitch a tent and enjoy nature. It'll feel more like a vacation than a desperate situation.

So another place to legally sleep when homeless is in dispersed camping zones.

If you live in the United States, to find dispersed camping zones in your area, look online. A map of dispersed camping sites issued by the United States Department of Agriculture is most trustworthy.

For example, to find dispersed camping zones in Colorado, Google, "A map of dispersed camping zones in Colorado by the United States Department of Agriculture."

If you live outside the U.S., dispersed camping zones may not exist in your area. But other countries do offer these so it wouldn't hurt to do some research online.

8) TRADITIONAL CAMPSITES

If there are no dispersed camping zones in your area, you may still be able to legally sleep at a traditional campsite. Traditional campsites are cheap. Sometimes they are even free.

when traditional campsites are free

Many traditional campsites are free during the winter months. If it's not free, you pay $30 to $60 per night. That can be expensive when homeless, so that might not be an option. But if you can afford it, for the same reasons that disperse camp zones are an excellent place for the homeless to go, so are traditional campsites.

So another place that you can sleep legally is a traditional campsite.

7) HOMELESS SHELTERS

The next place you can legally sleep if you're homeless is a homeless shelter. Shelters are one of the best places to go if you're cold in the city.

why homeless shelters are a great place to sleep

Homeless shelters are staffed with caring people who know what the homeless go through. Getting an opportunity to speak with the staff of one of these shelters is one of the best things that you can do. You might even learn about resources that you didn't know existed.

Homeless shelters are great because they're one of the few places in the city that is legal to sleep. Shelters are where law enforcement wants the homeless to sleep. So if you stay in a shelter, you need not worry about getting ticketed for trespassing or loitering.

In addition, shelters often provide food. If you're homeless, you can probably use some. And despite what you'd think, shelter food can be delicious.

How to get into a homeless shelter

Homeless shelters usually fill up by the end of the night. So start the day early and google "homeless shelters near me."

6) REST STOPS

If are homeless and live far from the city, a rest stop is another great place to legally sleep. I'm sure you've stopped at one before on a road trip somewhere. Usually, they're located off of freeway exit ramps in suburban areas. Rest stops provide a great place to crash for the night while trying to figure out somewhere more permanent to go.

Just don't get caught staying too long. Be warned, even if you have a car, it is against the law to stay at one for more than one night.

rest stop rules

The rules of a rest stop are that you can pull into one and sleep, but only for one night. Don't get caught staying longer than that. Law enforcement does patrol those areas. They take down license plates. They do this to ensure that vehicles are not still there the following day. Many homeless think that since rest stops are far from cities, no one's enforcing the rules. But they are mistaken. If rest-stop staff or law enforcement see you there longer than is permitted, you'll wake up to a ticket.

So if you just need a place to sleep for the night and you have a car, rest stops are an excellent legal option.

5) DESIGNATED SAFE ZONES

Next, if you are homeless in a car and live in the city, your city might have designated safe zones for the homeless. These are places cities reserve for the homeless to sleep in cars.

The way it works: you pull into an enclosed parking lot, and a person with a high visibility vest greets you. He takes your name and tells you where to park. And that's it. These areas do fill up fast, though. Thus, make sure you get there early. There are also many laws against sleeping in cars in cities. So if your city has a designated parking zone you have a car that might be the place you need to go. It's like a homeless shelter for people with vehicles. To find a safe zone near you, Google "safe zones near me." If no results turn up, ask your local authorities if they exist.

Designated safe zones are excellent because, as the name suggests, they are safe. With a person supervising you, you can feel safe while you sleep. No one will bash the driver-side window out to steal your CD player and be surprised when they find you sleeping. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting a ticket for illegal camping in your car. Yeah, that's a thing. Many cities prohibit sleeping in a car in certain areas. For example, residential neighborhoods are illegal.

Thus, another great place to legally sleep is in homeless designated safe zones. All you need is a car and to arrive before it gets too full.

4) INDUSTRIAL AREAS

In addition to rest stops and designated safe zones, industrial areas are also an excellent place to park and sleep. These are places where warehouses and factories live. Sleeping in those areas overnight is usually permitted by law. Every city is different, though.

sleep there, not somewhere else

Some newbies try sleeping in a Walmart parking lot. They wake up in the morning with a ticket on their windshield. Many businesses report vehicles that do not move when the last store employee leaves. These places, however, are usually different in that regard.

So industrial areas are another great place to legally sleep when homeless.

3) A TRANSITIONAL HOME

Another excellent place to legally sleep when homeless is a transitional home. This is the most permanent solution because transitional homes offer resources that help. They help you get a job and whatever else you need, and in the meantime, give you a place to sleep.

They usually aren't open to walk-ins, though. But if you're still alive in the morning, wake up and Google "transitional homes or programs for the homeless." There are some great programs out there. Many are willing to help.

Specially great about them is they often assign you a caseworker. Caseworkers are excellent to talk to for resources. They know right where to go to get food, for example. It can help to speak to one.

2) A FRIEND'S HOUSE

Sleeping at your friend's house is another legal place to sleep. Of course, a friend's house is not always an option, though. If you're like me, you don't feel like you have any good friends. You don't feel it would be worthwhile to dial one up and ask if you could crash on their couch. But don't be so quick to assume that a friend will say no. And don't have too much pride to ask.

Being homeless is a great chance to find out who your real friends are. If you never go down your contact list and ask for a handout, your hands will remain empty.

In addition, don't be quick to assume you have no friends. Sometimes even people you have not spoken to in ages will help. So swallow your pride. Tell them your situation, and that you wouldn't be asking them if you had another option. Assure them that you're not going to stay forever. Then if they let you, keep your word. Don't overstay your welcome.

Staying at a friend's house can be an excellent way to get back on your feet. You will eventually need a more permanent solution, though. Getting out of homelessness takes time. Often, it takes over a month to earn enough to save for a deposit and first and last month's rent.

Also, I'm sure you've thought about it already, but are you sure that you can't stay at a family member's house?

1) A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOME

Also, another legal place to sleep is a family member's house. Sure, you're probably like most of the homeless. You probably don't have a family like the rest of society. Maybe they just don't live in your area. Or you don't get along with anyone in it. Whatever the situation is, if you have family, don't assume they won't help. Don't assume that they won't feel bad and let you stay.

Maybe Mom or Pops is not an option. But what about distant relatives? Do you have a grandma, an uncle, or in-laws? Can you at least call them and explain what you're going through? Sometimes, even the most cold-hearted people in the world help the down and out. They do it because they know what it is like to lose.

Of course, as you would with a friend, I'm sure then that sleeping in their home is only a temporary solution. Explain to them what you are doing to get out of homelessness, and how long that will take. Tell them that no matter what you do, you're not going to be a burden. You'll stay out of the house all the time. You only need a place to legally sleep at night.

Maybe they'll agree for only a couple of nights. But if you're lucky, a night will turn into a week, and a week will turn into a month. Family is more likely to allow you to stay if you show initiative in improving your situation. Go out every day and job hunt. Make sure they know what you are doing. Put the past aside. Family members care about you.

So another place to sleep if you are homeless that is legal is a family member's house.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When homeless, the last thing you want to concern yourself with is legality. But if you crash at spots that are against the law, you are sure to accumulate tickets. Trust, police do hassle the homeless for little stuff like trespassing and illegal camping. Almost everywhere, it is illegal to sleep outside.

Governments want the homeless to not stay homeless. They view it as a problem because it is expensive to society and it is ugly. The problem is they go about it the wrong way. They hassle us with little legal technicalities, technicalities that ultimately lead to courtroom battles.

Don't be a victim to society for falling victim to homelessness.

conclusion

So if you're homeless and need a legal place to sleep, churches are an excellent option. Disperse camping zones are another good place. If there are no dispersed camping zones near you, try a traditional campsite. Homeless shelters are another great place to sleep. They often provide food, and additional resources. If you have a car, rest spots are good too. Designated safe zones exist in big cities. While the laws are different in every city, commercial zones are good. Transitional homes sometimes are good too. Finally, don't rule out friends or family. Sometimes they will help.