Find somewhere safer

If possible, move toward a safe public place, trusted person, community service, emergency department, shelter, library, police station, or warm indoor place.

Contact urgent help

Call emergency services if you are in danger. Contact a housing line, shelter, social service, local council, helpline, or trusted person for practical help.

Protect essentials

If safe, keep ID, phone, charger, medication, keys, bank card, warm clothes, water, and important documents close.

It may include

• No safe place to stay
• Sleeping rough or in a vehicle
• Couch surfing with no stable option
• Eviction or being forced to leave
• Unsafe housing, violence, threats, or coercive control
• No access to food, warmth, medication, hygiene, or basic needs
• High stress, panic, trauma, or feeling trapped

You are not your circumstances. Support can help.

When it is urgent

• You are unsafe where you are
• You have nowhere to sleep tonight
• You are being threatened or followed
• You are escaping violence or abuse
• You are too cold, sick, injured, or unwell
• A child, disabled person, older person, or dependent is at risk
• You feel unable to stay safe with yourself

Gentle content notice

This page mentions homelessness, unsafe housing, eviction, violence, sleeping rough, poverty, emergency shelter, and crisis support. Please pause if it feels heavy.

1. Safety first

• If you are in danger, call emergency services.
• Move away from violence, threats, or unsafe areas if possible.
• Stay near trusted people or public places where you can be seen.

2. Contact housing help

• Call local shelter or emergency accommodation services.
• Contact social services, council, housing agency, or crisis line.
• Ask a trusted person to help make calls if you are overwhelmed.

3. Cover basic needs

• Food, water, warmth, medication, charger, transport, and hygiene items.
• Ask for help from community centres, churches, food banks, shelters, or social services.
• One small step can change tonight.

What can help

• Listen without judgement.
• Help them find shelter or support contacts.
• Keep them safe, not alone, if there is danger.
• Offer food, transport, phone charging, or help making calls.
• Respect their choices while focusing on safety.

What to avoid

• Do not blame them for the crisis.
• Do not make promises you cannot keep.
• Do not pressure them to return to unsafe housing.
• Do not ignore threats, abuse, illness, or safety concerns.

Helpful phrase

“You deserve somewhere safe tonight. Let’s work out one next step together.”

Small wins count

• Asking for help
• Finding somewhere safer
• Charging your phone
• Having a meal or water
• Calling a service
• Keeping important documents safe

Today is about safety

You do not need to solve long-term housing all at once. Getting through tonight safely matters.

You deserve support

Needing housing help is not a personal failure. Housing is a human need.

New Zealand / Aotearoa

• Emergency: 111
• Work and Income: emergency housing support
• Housing First NZ: local housing support where available
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Citizens Advice Bureau: local rights and support guidance

Australia

• Emergency: 000
• Ask Izzy: find nearby shelter, food, health and support services
• Homelessness Australia: service information and advocacy
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 if housing crisis involves violence or abuse

United States

• Emergency: 911
• 988 Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988
• 2-1-1: local shelter, food, and support services in many areas
• National Alliance to End Homelessness: information and service pathways
• The Salvation Army: local shelter and support services where available

Canada

• Emergency: 911
• 9-8-8 Canada: call or text crisis support
• 2-1-1 Canada: local social and community services
• Homeless Hub Canada: housing and homelessness information
• Sheltersafe: if leaving abuse or violence

United Kingdom

• Emergency: 999 or 112
• Shelter England: housing advice and homelessness support
• Citizens Advice: rights and housing guidance
• Crisis: homelessness charity and support pathways
• Samaritans: 116 123

International / Global

• Find a Helpline: search by country and topic
• Red Cross / Red Crescent: local crisis and disaster support where available
• IOM: migration, displacement, and emergency support information
• Local councils, shelters, churches, food banks, and community services

Text or chat support

Text and webchat can be easier when speaking feels hard or unsafe.

Communication access

For AAC, typing, writing, yes/no answers, speech-to-text, easy language, or extra processing time.

Neurodivergent support

For crisis support alongside shutdown, overwhelm, masking, trauma, and sensory distress.

Crisis Support by Topic

Explore all crisis topic support pathways.

Crisis Support by Location

Find help in your country or region.

Financial Crisis & Hardship

For debt, poverty, benefits, food insecurity, and financial stress.

Abuse & Domestic Violence

If you are unsafe at home or being controlled, threatened, or harmed.

Mental Health Crisis Support

For panic, distress, suicidal thoughts, or feeling unable to cope.

Text & Chat Crisis Support

For lower-pressure non-phone crisis support options.