Q&A for How to Start a Nonprofit Homeless Shelter

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Can you obtain an abandoned building from the city for a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

You should stop into city hall and ask. Chances are, they won't give you the building. However, you might be able to arrange to rent the building for very little money.

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Question

What is the cost of licenses?

Community Answer

It depends on where you live. Ask your local municipality.

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Question

What if I am a kid but still want to create a charity?

Community Answer

Just do it! Don't let your age stop you. Get support from your parents, teachers, neighbors, family and friends. Nowadays with social media anything is possible!

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Question

How do I talk to a town about putting in a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

Go to City Hall. Ask the receptionist who would be able to help and proceed from there.

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Question

I want to start a battered women's shelter, I just need help how to get started. What do I need to do?

Community Answer

It would help if you wrote your business plan first or at least part of it. Go to a city meeting and other women's groups to start getting the word out and make sure you incorporate your mission statement and what you need in your speech.

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Question

How do you do a business plan?

Community Answer

You might find it helpful to read: How to Write a Business Plan . In terms of tailoring it to a homeless shelter, ask the municipality for some precedents or look online for examples from existing homeless shelter operations. It might help to call or visit one to talk to someone who has already prepared such a business plan, to find out what they'd recommend form part of this plan.

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Question

Who do you send the mission statement and/or business proposal to?

Community Answer

It depends on where you live, as the details will vary from state to state/municipality to municipality, etc. Contact your local city offices and ask for their assistance in advising on the correct address.

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Question

How long will all of this take once you have done everything?

Community Answer

That depends on where you live, what your state and local requirements are, and how much financial backing or support you have for the project. Give it at least a good six months or so of organizational work and getting permits, etc. but realistically, it may take longer.

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Question

How do I get into a shelter if I'm not a vet and it's veterans only?

Community Answer

You don't. There are other shelters set up for non veterans, but a vets only shelter is just that.

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Question

What degree would be beneficial to run a camp and homeless shelter?

Community Answer

A master's degree in social work would be great.

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Question

Can I start a Go Fund Me to build a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Do I need any particular qualifications to set up a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

Not intrinsically. It might help to have a background in social work or similar sects of study, but there are no requirements to run or setup a shelter. It does take a lot of hard work, determination and good fortune to get all the pieces in place. Make sure you are comfortable going to other organizations asking for donations, etc.

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Question

Do I need to go to college to open up a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

No, you do not need to go to college for this.

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Question

How would I be able to pay staff if my organization is nonprofit? How do I keep it up and running, fully staffed, if no income is coming in?

Community Answer

There are grants that offer assistance to nonprofits seeking help with staffing. Check with your local homeless advocacy group.

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Question

How many toilets, sinks, showers et cetera is needed per person in a homeless shelter?

Shelley J Newnam

Community Answer

This would depend on the amount of people you plan to shelter, as well as local ordinances and guidelines pertaining to this. There are health issues to contend with that may require a working bathroom for a certain amount of people. You could also need cooking facilities, refrigeration and such separate from the toilet facilities. Contact your local code enforcement agencies and health departments in your town or city.

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Question

Do I need a degree to start a homeless shelter?

Community Answer

No, but background in social work would help, but again it is not required.

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Question

Does a homeless shelter take in people who were kicked out by their families?

Community Answer

Yes. There are tons of reasons that people become homeless. That's what the shelter is there for.

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Question

How do I start a nonprofit organization for homeless people if I'm homeless myself?

Community Answer

If you can create a business plan, bylaws for the shelter, file your articles of corporation with the state(fee will be involved) file a 1023 form with IRS (fee is involved) then you will be on your way to openings shelter. You will definitely need donations from businesses, family and friends. There are many examples of business plans and bylaws that can assist you online.

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Question

What are notable social institutions one can include in a community building apart from school, market, clinic, sports centre?

Community Answer

Health services, church or religious services, job services (like how to write a resume; confidence building; answering job listings), used clothing shop, social clubs, coffee cafe, addiction meetings (AAA, Alanon, NA), hobby meetings (ex. quilting, genealogy, small appliance repairs, auto mechanics). It would depend on how big your community building and parking lots are.

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Question

If the individual with the desire to open a Homeless Veterans Home doesn't have a masters degree, how will that look for that individual?

Torpi

Top Answerer

That's just fine. Plenty of people working with all kinds of non-profits do not have a masters degree, or even any kind of higher education at all. That's why the only other mention of masters degrees on this page is in response to someone specifically asking what education would help them - if you are inexperienced, it would help, but isn't strictly necessary.

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