Ideas on how to help a homeless person and a list of shelters and temporary accommodation centres

As Bulgaria's housing crisis continues to worsen and prices get higher, despite the pandemic of COVID-19, more individuals and families are facing financial instability and homelessness. In fact, over 500 000 people are homeless in Bulgaria, and there are no official statistics on this. In this article you will learn how helping homeless people in your city is possible and you can really make a difference for someone.

Frightening facts about homeless people around the world

- According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, California and New York have the highest rates of homelessness in the United States. Out of every 10,000 people in California, 33 are homeless, and in New York, the number rises to 46 homeless for every 10,000 people.
- According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, mental illness affects 20-25% of the homeless in the United States.
- According to HUD, 23% of all homeless people are children under the age of 18. Nearly 12% of all homeless are war veterans.
- In the most recent 2019 San Francisco Homeless Survey, officials found a 17% increase in homeless people in San Francisco from 2017.

Seven ways to help the homeless

Wondering how to help homeless people in your city? If you want to help make a difference, we offer seven ideas for helping the homeless below.

1. Volunteer your personal time

Homeless shelters across the country depend on volunteers to keep their doors open and operations running smoothly. By volunteering some of your time, you can help in a variety of ways: serving meals to the homeless, building permanent shelters, distributing care packages, fundraising and clerking, and more.

2. Donate new and pre-owned items

Homeless shelters are always in need of the basics: kitchen supplies, soap, toothpaste, winter clothing, etc. Go through your belongings and donate some of your clothing or talk to staff at local shelters to discuss exactly what they need and what you can help with. After making a list of what they need, head to stores where there are discounts near you to buy supplies in bulk.

3. Donate a blanket or coat

Every winter, shelters need blankets and coats to help keep the homeless warm and healthy. You can donate your own blanket or coat to a local shelter.

4. Create an online charity fundraising campaign

Don't let lack of funds stop you from doing good. If you want to lend a hand but don't know how to raise money for homeless people, try crowdfunding - charity fundraising. Once you create a fundraising campaign, start sharing it on social media and ask your friends and family for their support. To encourage more people to give, be sure to let everyone know that even a donation of €5 can make a difference.

Take a look at our social media articles:

• 5 ways to spread the word about your fundraising campaign and reach more people
• How to use social media to run a successful fundraising campaign
• 10 ideas on how to promote a donation campaign on Facebook
• How to create a fundraising hashtag that inspires donations

Try one of these fundraising ideas or come up with your own:

- Raise money for a specific person
- Raise money for a local homeless charity
- Raise money to buy items for homeless women
- Raise money to buy care packages for the homeless
- Raise money to rent a hotel room for a night or a week for a person in need

Also read these"Five easy steps to fundraising online" - they'll help!

5. Pay for a hotel room

On an icy winter night, offer to rent a hotel room with dinner and breakfast for a day or two to a homeless person. This idea is great if you've already built friendly relationships with homeless people in your neighborhood. It's a temporary solution, but you'll warm the person's soul.

6. Advocate and share ideas

Do you have ideas on how to improve conditions for homeless people? Or are you passionate about helping create more affordable social housing in your city?

Make your voice heard by presenting your ideas at city council meetings or contact local politicians to find out what is currently being done and how you can get involved.

7. Hand out food coupons

Giving money to the homeless is a quick and easy way to help, but you may not always have money on hand when you come across someone who really needs help. Take a proactive step by purchasing a few inexpensive gift cards at local restaurants, then hand them out when you see someone in need. Providing food to the homeless through gift cards is an easy way to lighten someone's day and help them stay healthy and fed.

Check out these 4 steps for organizing a virtual food drive

Organize an easy fundraiser on PavelAndreev.ORG.

And in our help center you can check out What are the conditions for starting a campaign?

I know a homeless person in crisis! How can I help him? Where can I place a homeless person?

In Bulgaria there are 13 temporary accommodation centres with a total capacity of ~650 places and 6 shelters for homeless people with a capacity of ~130 places. If you see a homeless person you should call 112 and connect them to one of the centres below.

List of all homeless shelters and temporary accommodation centres

Homeless shelter and temporary accommodation centre in Sofia

1. Temporary accommodation centre "St. Dimitar" - g.k. Lyulin, bl. 464, in. 02/ 925 07 27, 02/ 827 43 30, 02/ 827 41 53

2. Temporary Accommodation Centre - g.k. Krasna Polyana, ul. 02/ 920 18 07

3. Temporary Accommodation Centre "St. Sofia", Zaharna Fabrika, bl. 51, inc. 02/ 822 08 88, fax: 02/ 920 80 90

4. Centre for crisis accommodation of homeless people - g.k. 51A, tel: 0889 048 060

5. Centre for crisis accommodation of homeless people - g.k. 48A, tel.: 0889 048 060

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Plovdiv

1. Centre for temporary accommodation of homeless people "Shelter" - gk. Shelter Centre - Mladost Str. Mlada - Mladost, Mlada Street, Mlada Street, Mlada Street - Mladost Street, Radko Dimitriev Str. 33, Bl. 032/ 219 181

2. Temporary accommodation home "Dobrolyubie" - Blvd. 106 Tsarigradsko Shose, tel.: 032/ 634 405

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Varna

Temporary shelter - g.k. Pobeda str. 052/ 820 115

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Burgas

Temporary Accommodation Centre for Homeless People - Burgas, Burgas. Homeless shelter, Acacia Str. Accommodation - Actions - Kitka № 5

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Ruse

Good Samaritan shelter - ul. 0884 314 155, 0882 500 021, 082/ 500 021, 082/ 373 619

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Dobrich

Temporary Accommodation Centre of "Helping Hand" Foundation - ul. Shipka

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Blagoevgrad

Temporary Accommodation Centre - ul. Ilinden № 2, Social Assistance Directorate - Blagoevgrad, pl. Г. Izmirliev,

Tel: 073/ 885 442, 073/ 832 081

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Gorna Oryahovitsa

Temporary Accommodation Centre "Change", which exists only through donations - ul. Otets Paisii № 17

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Pazardzhik

Temporary accommodation home - ul. К. Velichkov № 91, Social Assistance Directorate - Pazardzhik, ul. E. Joseph № 19,

Tel: 034/ 443 865, 034/ 445 929

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Vidin

Temporary Accommodation Centre - ul. 094/ 601 643

According to the information from 02.06.16 the temporary accommodation centre in g.k. On 06.02.02 the temporary accommodation centre in Vidin will be moved to the village of. Gomotartsi - in the former home for children and young people with mental retardation, which has been closed as a social institution, and the children from it have been placed in centers offering care in an environment close to the family. For more information, if you see a helpless person on the street without a home, call 112.

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Vratsa

Temporary accommodation centre for the homeless - located in the former school "David Todorov" g.k. Dubnica.

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Montana

Temporary Accommodation Centre - ul. Ivan Vazov № 4; Social Assistance Directorate - Montana, ul. arch. M. Krastev,

Tel: 096/ 307 185 096/ 305 507

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Silistra

Temporary Accommodation Centre - ul. 086/ 821 495

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Lom

Temporary Accommodation Centre - Lom district, Lom district, Lom district, Temporary Accommodation Centre - Lom district. The homeless shelter and temporary accommodation for refugees in Zornitsa street. 0917/ 602 86

Homelessshelter and temporary accommodation centre in Bratsigovo

Temporary Accommodation Home - ul. 0355/ 23 13

Are you ready to be part of the solution to homelessness?

Whether you come from within to help the homeless or not, fundraising through PavelAndreev.ORG can simplify your efforts and help you create an even bigger impact. With my fundraising platform, you can quickly raise the funds you need for your campaign. Contact me so we can make your campaign happen together!