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what to do if we're about to be homeless?
looking for solutions. i'm a freshman in college. 2 brothers in high school, one is about to graduate. my mother has an invisible illness that often makes… 19f verge of homelessness w mom and brothers
looking for solutions. i'm a freshman in college. 2 brothers in high school, one is about to graduate. my mother has an invisible illness that often makes it difficult and painful for her to move. and we're about get evicted. no extended family in my state. what are some steps i can take to make sure we don't end up on the streets? some steps my mom could possibly take? she doesn't have an income rn, her sickness makes it difficult to do so. please be kind and understanding.
i have money saved up due to refund checks from my school but i was hoping to leave the money alone and save it up to eventually buy a car. but it seems like im the only who even has a chance at amending this situation since my mom and brothers are broke. like less than a $100 broke. so i may have to use my money and go broke too, idk. i don't work but i have an internship that gives me $1000 a month. i didn't want to work my freshman year so i could focus on academics, but it seems like that might not be an option for me .
Your college likely has a basic needs center or an emergency aid application through financial aid. At most LA schools, you can request a "short-term emergency loan" from the financial aid office that gets paid back through your next disbursement, which could cover a month of rent while you figure out a longer plan.
Look into the LA County Homeless Prevention Unit through 211. They specifically help people who are about to be evicted, not just people already on the street. They can sometimes negotiate with landlords directly or provide one-time rental assistance, but you have to call before the eviction is finalized.
For your mom, the Department of Public Social Services has an expedited process for people with medical conditions who are at risk of homelessness. She can apply for General Relief at the DPSS office on Grand Avenue in downtown LA while she waits for SSDI. It's only about $220 a month but it gets her in the system and qualifies her for Medi-Cal and CalFresh within days, not weeks.
Keep your internship. If you drop it, you lose that income stream and the professional connections. Talk to your academic advisor about taking a reduced course load for one semester if you need to, lots of freshmen do it. Your mom's situation counts as a legitimate reason to request an accommodation from the registrar.
tbh the biggest thing nobody tells you about LA evictions is that you can stall the process by a couple months if you respond to the court summons. if you already got a notice to vacate, you don't have to leave immediately. go to the courthouse in van nuys or downtown and file a response, they have self-help centers that walk you through it for free. that buys you time to figure out the rest without being on the street tomorrow
also your brothers' high schools are prob gonna be your best resource. the mckinney-vento liaison at LAUSD can get them priority enrollment at any school in the district if you have to move, plus free breakfast and lunch. they also have emergency funds sometimes through the district's homeless education office on wilshire near vermont. your older brother graduating should def talk to his counselor about the FAFSA dependency override, cause your mom's situation might qualify him for way more aid as an independent student
for you specifically, talk to the financial aid office about a professional judgment appeal. if your mom lost income due to her illness, they can recalculate your EFC and you might get more grant money without having to take out loans. i had a friend do this at CSUN and they gave her an extra $4000 for the semester just for living expenses. keep that internship, honestly $1000 a month with no rent is better than most students have
First off, I'm really sorry you're in this position. You're carrying a lot for 19, and it's not fair.
Contact your college's Dean of Students office immediately. Most LA-area schools like UCLA, USC, or community colleges have emergency housing funds or can connect you with vouchers through 211 LA. They can also help you apply for CalFresh, which your mom and brothers could use for groceries even without income. Your brothers' high schools likely have a homeless liaison or McKinney-Vento contact who can get them free meals and bus passes, and help your older brother with college application fee waivers.
For your mom, look into SSDI or SSI if her illness is documented. The application process is slow, but PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) has caseworkers at their downtown and San Fernando Valley offices who can walk her through it. They also offer motel vouchers when shelters are full. Don't drain your savings for a car right now. Save it for a security deposit on a room or a cheap month-to-month rental through a friend's connection. Your internship income is actually decent for a student, so don't quit it.
Things to Do in Los Angeles (2026)
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping vi… 🌴 Iconic Sights
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🎨 Museums and Culture
The Getty Center in Brentwood offers free admission (parking $20) and stunning gardens with art from the Middle Ages to modern times. For contemporary art, head to The Broad in downtown LA, which has free timed-entry tickets for Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms. Book online weeks ahead.
🏖️ Beach Day Essentials
Santa Monica Pier is a lively spot with an amusement park and aquarium, but for a quieter vibe, try Manhattan Beach with its wide sandy shores and local shops. Both have bike paths connecting to Venice Beach, where you can watch skateboarders at the famous Venice Skate Park.
🍽️ Foodie Hotspots
Grand Central Market in downtown LA has been a food hall since 1917, offering everything from tacos at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas to egg sandwiches at Eggslut. For Korean BBQ, head to Koreatown's Park's BBQ, where the beef short ribs are a must-try. Expect lines on weekends.
🚶 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore the Arts District for street art and industrial-chic galleries, then grab coffee at Blue Bottle. Echo Park is great for a stroll around the lake and vintage shopping on Sunset Boulevard. Both neighborhoods are walkable and less touristy than Hollywood.
🚌 Getting Around
LA's Metro system has expanded with the K Line connecting Crenshaw to the Westside, but a car is still the most convenient option. Rideshares are widely available, but traffic on the 405 and 101 can be heavy from 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Consider renting a bike for beach areas.
🌆 Best Evening Spots
Catch sunset at the rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA, which offers craft cocktails and views of the city skyline. For live music, the Hollywood Bowl hosts concerts from May to October, with affordable bench seats starting around $20. Pack a picnic for a classic LA experience.
💡 Local Tips
Many museums offer free admission on certain days, like the Natural History Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking can be expensive, so use apps like SpotHero to reserve spots ahead. Always carry a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and refill stations are common.
Seconding the Academy Museum free day tip, that's a solid addition. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Griffith Observatory can get completely overrun on summer weekends, to the point where they close the road to cars. If you're not up for the hike from the bottom, take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, it's 50 cents and drops you right at the door. Also, for a quick beach lunch that's not a tourist trap, the fish tacos at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach are worth the short walk from the pier.
one thing the guide doesnt mention is that the getty center has a free shuttle from the parking structure up to the museum, so you dont have to hike the hill unless you want to. also if you go on a weekday morning the gardens are basically empty and the light is perfect for photos. for a quick bite after, the cafeteria is overpriced but the hot dog stand outside the tram stop has decent cheap snacks
honestly the guide is pretty solid but i think theyre sleeping on the food scene in the san gabriel valley. if you have a car and an afternoon, drive out to monterey park for some of the best chinese food in the country. the soup dumplings at din tai fung are famous for a reason but the real hidden gem is the xiao long bao at mei long village just down the street. way less of a wait and just as good. also for a chill evening that's not downtown, the rooftop at the standard on sunset has a great vibe and you can see