Would HHA agency accept me for training if I am in a homeless shelter?

NurseDreamerNYC · Jul 31, 2014

Sorry to hear about your situation. The answer is no, that should not be a problem. For any schooling, training, etc. it is only necessary that you provide a mailing address. You could either provide the address to the shelter (they won't know its a shelter unless they were to look up the address) or provide a mailing address of a friend or relative for registration and paperwork purposes. Good luck.

Gentleman_nurse, MSN · Aug 1, 2014

Flod I don't understand your Question. Do you mean you want live in homeless shelter because it's affordable or you're already there and concerned about finding work?

If you already live in a shelter (used to work in one for families, looked exactly like a hotel, very nice) finding work should not be a problem. Heck the staff will support you to make it happen. I highly suggest to get a Post Office Box for secure and timely mail delivery.

If you want to live in one (life happens be it disaster, domestic violence, or job loss) they have folks there who will assist you find affordable housing.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2014

Job training programs do Not discriminate based on housing situation. However homeless shelters are for people in real need, not just people trying to save money. To be accepted to homeless shelter system you have to go to the central which is the PATH Center in the BX. They do a thorough investigation before they accept people to live in homeless shelter for more than a few days. I know several clients back when i used to work in Social Services that were rejected from shelter system. I would suggesting getting any job to pay your living expenses until you can start HHA job or living with family or friends until you can move out.

flod · Aug 10, 2014

What if you are arriving at NYC with no money, is that sufficient reason for admittance?

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

No. If you just coming to NYC because you want to be in NYC they will send you back to whatever state you came from, either to your family member or friend. The homeless system is already overwhelmed with city residents with no home and the lists for housing are long. I see on another thread that you have a Bachelor's degree? You should apply to jobs and then move here once you are hired so you can rent a room (depends on neighborhood, you can rent a room for $450 and up a month) and survive on your own. If you do not have a Bachelor's you can still apply for jobs, some only require HS or GED. FYI homeless shelters are not luxury, think if you will be comfortable and happy possible living with roaches and mice and in crowded buildings.

caliotter3 · Aug 10, 2014

Many homeless avoid homeless shelters because they do not want to be the victims of crime. These places are not safe.

For an address, many homeless get a postal mail box and write the address as a traditional address, leaving out the "PMB" designation. Homeless people have been doing this for years. Another homeless trick is to maintain a membership at 24 Hour Fitness or another all hours establishment and take care of your shower and personal hygiene after your workout. If you are friendly with the night staff, they will often allow you to "hang out" there through the night.

It is not a good idea to be telling people about your business, in this case, the fact that you are homeless. You don't need the possible or probable drama that can ensue when people find out that they have been told something they can use against you or something they can gossip about.

Nobody need know that you are homeless. Show up where and when you are supposed to and make sure that you are clean and presentable and you are just like any other worker or student.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Aug 10, 2014

Wanting to be in a homeless shelter to save money by choice especially with a bachelors degree is not going to fly well in NYC. You likely won't qualify for more than a bus ticket back to your home state. What state are you in now? With a bachelors you may not qualify for free training. The agency may require a physical address for the background check process.

While some of the shelters are quite nice they are not intended to be free housing for someone moving to the city from out of state. They are a temporary measure until someone who fell on hard times gets back on their feet.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2014

It is not fair to real homeless people for a person who can first apply to a job before moving here, to just move here without a job and expect to have a space in a shelter just to not pay for housing. Makes no sense to do so. Imagine if everyone that wanted to move to NYC would go to a shelter just to not pay housing until they get a job? The shelters would burst. If you are really homeless at this time try the Homeless Services in your current state. They can help as much as any other states Homeless Services can.

flod · Aug 11, 2014

I'm not homeless here because I'm living with my family. But there are no jobs here, so if I move to a place with the most likelihood of finding a job, I won't have money for a room at least initially.

estrellaCR, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2014

Then you are not eligible for homeless shelter...you have a home even though it is not in NY. The homeless shelters are for people with NO home Anywhere. Also it appears that you have a Bachelor's degree; not sure in what , but still it should help you get a better paying job than HHA. FYI HHA pay is low, about $10 an hour and they would not hire people with Bachelor degree as they are overqualified. I would advise that you have someone help you with your resume and interview (maybe your state or town's Workforce Center as it is their job to help unemployed people prepare and job search and they also have listing of jobs they can send you to interview for). If you really want NY, then you can apply to jobs here and move here After you have a job secured so you can rent a room for yourself.

If you are really interested in nursing, once you have a job here you an take a 6 week CNA class and then look for a CNA job. CNA pays better than HHA and will help u alot more in getting an RN job than HHA, as per people I know who worked these jobs. Of course while looking for CNA job, stay employed in whatever job you are in. You cannot qualify for homeless shelter b/c you quit your job to search for CNA job and its taking you some time to find one.

flod · Aug 13, 2014

FYI HHA pay is low, about $10 an hour and they would not hire people with Bachelor degree as they are overqualified.

Is it true they won't hire people with Bachelor's degree?

Minimum wage jobs do hire people with Bachelor's degree so why not HHA jobs?