According to a January 2021 report (PDF) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), about 580,000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness in 2020. Of these individuals, more than a quarter experienced chronic homelessness, meaning they experienced homelessness for extended periods of time and had a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability (27 percent). People who are homeless are especially vulnerable during disasters, when resources, shelters, and services become increasingly limited and inaccessible. They may also be left out of state and local disaster planning and preparedness, placing them at greater risk.

The following resources can be used by individuals experiencing homelessness to learn self-care strategies, develop emergency plans, and stay safe during and after disasters. They can also help emergency responders ensure that people experiencing homelessness are included in disaster planning, response, and recovery.

Tips for Survivors: Coping With Retraumatization

Individuals experiencing homelessness are often coping with other traumatic events when disasters strike. They may also have experienced past trauma. This SAMHSA tip sheet defines retraumatization and offers guidance for developing a self-care plan and building resilience. This brochure is also available in Spanish.

Disaster Recovery Homelessness Toolkit

Created for communities developing a disaster response and recovery plan, this toolkit includes
three guides from HUD to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness are included and accounted for in disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts. Each guide includes step-by-step, comprehensive guidance and relevant tools available for download.

Disaster Response for Homeless Individuals and Families

This web page from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response provides information regarding trauma-informed treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness. It includes guidance for providers and other responders supporting individuals who are homeless during disaster planning and response.

Surviving Severe Weather: Tools To Promote Emergency Preparedness

This series of weather-specific informational flyers from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council was created using input from people who have been or are currently experiencing homelessness. Each flyer focuses on a different natural disaster and offers weather-appropriate guidance for homeless individuals seeking shelter and safety.

Help Improve SAMHSA’s Disaster Services and Products

As a subscriber to this newsletter, you are invited to participate in a short, web-based survey to provide the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) with feedback about your experiences with our products and services. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes. Complete the survey by clicking on this link, or copy and paste the URL https://iqsolutions.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bjYCSJDUQAGi1h3 into your web browser.

Subscribe to The Dialogue

The Dialogue is a quarterly e-newsletter that provides practical and down-to-earth information for disaster behavioral health coordinators, local service providers, federal agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. You can subscribe to the newsletter or contact SAMHSA DTAC by email at [email protected] to contribute an article to an upcoming issue.

Questions About the SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin?

The SAMHSA DTAC Bulletin is a monthly newsletter used to share updates in the field, post upcoming activities, and highlight new resources. For more information, please contact:

Reference in this email to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by SAMHSA. SAMHSA is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” webpage referenced in this email.