National Roof Over Your Head Day is observed on December 3 every year in the United States. This day serves to raise awareness about housing issues in the U.S. and remind everyone to be grateful for all they have.

In 2020, more than half a million people experienced homelessness. The number one cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. Low-income households often can’t pay for food, clothing, transportation, and a roof over their head.

The need for affordable housing affects people from all walks of life – adults who have lost their job or suffered a health emergency, families leaving domestic violence, youth who have been subject to abuse or addiction, veterans unable to find work.

There is no one group of people who experience homelessness, nor is there any simple way to avoid homelessness altogether.

National Roof Over Your Head Day is a call to generosity in the spirit of the holidays. Below are a few ideas to help those experiencing homelessness:

• Donate clothes to a local shelter
  • Check your shelter’s website to see if they’re requesting a certain type of clothing. Shelters are always in need of new and gently used clothes, especially socks and personal hygiene items.
  • Post on social media that you’re donating and volunteer to bring items others can chip in.
• Respond to people experiencing homelessness with kindness
• Keep extra food and water in your car to hand out to those on street corners
• Donate toys for children experiencing homelessness
• Donate groceries to homeless shelters or directly to those without homes
• Research your local politicians
  • Local politicians can dictate policies and funding levels for homeless services and affordable housing. Taking the time to learn about their policies can be a great way to vote for ways to help ease homelessness.
• Volunteer at a homeless shelter
• Give recyclables to a homeless person that comes around your neighborhood
• Leave recyclables out where homeless people can take them
• Organize an outing to the local roller rink or zoo for children in a homeless shelter
• Offer a professional service for free
  • Talk to your local homeless shelter about coming in to provide haircuts if you’re a cosmetologist, taxes if you’re an accountant, or legal advice if you’re a lawyer
• Educate yourself
  • endhomelessness.org has excellent resources, including an FAQ section covering the statistics of homelessness, why homelessness happens, and what the solutions to homelessness are.

This December 3, learn how you can help those experiencing homelessness. Take the time to reflect and appreciate what you have, even when it’s as simple as a roof over your head.