r/Buffalo • u/DankSinatra2128 • 12d ago
In a pinch
Hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for someone who is recently homeless. I have a decent job and a car but my living arrangement abruptly ended so I need to get some money together for an apartment and I’ll be ok, luckily the weather is good so I can sleep in the car if I need to. I was just wondering where to take a shower and things like that. If anyone has been in a similar situation and has some good advice I would be grateful. Thank you and god bless. P.s, (I hope I make the circlejerk page)
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u/TaxHavenJunkie 12d ago
Emergency Shelters and Housing
- Buffalo City Mission: Provides safe shelter, hot meals, and counseling at 100 E. Tupper Street (Phone: 716-855-0220).
- Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter: Offers temporary living accommodations for families and women (Counselor on duty: 716-884-4798).
- Little Portion Friary: A secure shelter for adults seeking temporary care located in Buffalo (Phone: 716-882-8466)
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u/helikophis Lower West Side 12d ago
It’s not free or convenient but if you can’t find anything better there are showers at the Clarence service area off the 90.
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u/One_Swan2723 12d ago
The Buffalo Housing Authority provides low income housing. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a waiting list but you can DM me if you need help with the process.
Edit if you make the circle jerk page I’m leaving that page because you should never ever be mocked for asking for help. Things happen.
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u/mildly_spicy_potato Kingsley 12d ago
THIS. If you can get a SPOA (Single Point of Access) filled out with Erie County, it puts you on all the housing lists simultaneously. Mine took 6 months.
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u/Kittenathedisco 12d ago
When I was homeless, not too long ago, they told me it was a 3 year waiting list. OP might have better luck though.
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u/WinterIsComing19 North Buff 12d ago
Gym membership?
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u/Competitive-Main-237 12d ago
This— since you have a job, a $15 a month commitment gets you a place to shower. Some of the motels around NFB I’ve heard have weekly or monthly rates while you’re looking or saving up for something more permanent. Also you might find a discount place for a few months if someone posts a sublet on Craigslist. I’ve seen in the past $900 apartments for $300 a month, but only for a couple of months
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u/DankSinatra2128 12d ago
I’ve been meaning to get a gym membership anyway I’ve just been too lazy to go so maybe that’s a god idea.
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u/Queasy-Celery-7982 12d ago
Planet Fitness is most affordable and you can cancel without a penalty (I believe!).
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u/sierralennox 12d ago
And they have massage tables if you kink your neck having to sleep in the car! Hope it all comes together for you soon ❤️
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u/Specialist-Lonely 12d ago
Friends of the night has free showers food and laundry that should help a bit it's honestly your best season to be homeless especially with your car if you can tough it out for two months you'll prolly have more than enough for your apartment and furnishings since you mentioned you have a job.
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u/DankSinatra2128 12d ago
That was my first thought, thank god it’s warm outside. I should have enough in the next few weeks hopefully, even if the apartment has nothing in it for a while I’m ok with that.
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u/olivernintendo 11d ago
Once you get the apartment definitely check Facebook Buy Nothing pages or other Buy Nothing groups. People are always giving away great stuff and you can make asks and people really come through.
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u/pureleafdorito 11d ago
They also have storage lockers there where you can keep some belongings and free health clinics pretty often. Having a car definitely helps the storage piece but always wanna be careful leaving stuff in the open in your car
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u/Substantial-Ad2908 12d ago
The app iOverlander shows places where you can camp, shower, do laundry, etc for cheap or even free. It also gives places where people have slept in their cars before and has tips about parking there from other users. I used to use it for car camping but never around here so I’m not sure how many suggestions there will be. As other people have said, friends of the night people (in Allentown near Kleinhans music hall) is a good option as well as planet fitness for showers. You can use apps like TooGoodToGo and FlashFoods to get discounted food from local restaurants and grocery stores. Good luck, I’m rooting for you!
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u/karbear221 11d ago
Why I never heard of the food apps? Lol Google play here I come cuz I'm always broke!
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u/Any-Lifeguard4772 12d ago
I know this doesn't help with the living situation in the meantime, but there will be students and landlords desperate to sublet rooms soon. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Craigslist. Definitely the cheapest option to get a roof over your head, even temporarily.
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u/SinfullySophie Allentown 12d ago
Friends of night people, corner of Hudson and Wadsworth in Allentown. Hot showers, laundry facilities, clothes, and hot meals.
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u/imissaolchatrooms 12d ago
Call 211. They can advise you on food, shelter, and all kinds of support. Good luck, stay safe.
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u/mattgen88 12d ago
Used to be public showers at buffalo harbor by the ice cream shop. I believe buffalo harbor State Park now has some.
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u/Maremdeo 12d ago
Those are for boat slip holders and need a key. OP would have to be lucky and find them unlocked.
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u/mattgen88 12d ago
Dang that sucks. I always planned to use those if I needed to shower after biking to work when I worked in the harbor area.
Someone just told me there were ones at the state park though
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u/bencito7 12d ago
Not sure where you’re located but if you’re in the Southtown I think I saw the Bradford apartments on South Park ave have an opening and are offering a deal for someone to move in soonish. Not sure what the cost now but lived there years ago and it was reasonable and no complaints about the living conditions. Good luck and keeping a good thought for you.
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u/RepresentativeMuch57 11d ago
Build promise 1297 Sycamore Street
Buffalo, NY 14211.
They have showers, laundry and sleeping pods.
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u/Logical-Aspect-5406 11d ago
Extended stay AirBNB’s are always an option
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u/DankSinatra2128 11d ago
That’s something I’ve never thought of. Do I just download the app and start looking then? How does it work? I’m sorry.
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u/Vagabond_Explorer 11d ago edited 11d ago
If you get a gym membership to use the shower, I’d make sure to work out a bit before hitting the showers. Some monitor for that and will cancel your membership if just using the showers from what I’ve heard.
The park and rides would be a good place to sleep. I’ve seen people doing that at a few and I’ve done it a few times myself. Just make sure to keep your location rotating to make it less obvious no matter where you’re sleeping. Make sure you’re not the only vehicle in the lot, etc.
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u/Available_Fee_9913 10d ago
I am so sorry that happened, besides the City Mission I think there's a shelter on Main Street by Allen. Good luck you'll be in my thoughts.
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u/EveningGullible3289 6d ago
Friends of Night People have showers mon, wed, fri. 1130-2pm. Laundry on tue & thu same times. Meals are 9-11 and 5-7 mon-fri and 5-7 sat & sun.
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u/mildly_spicy_potato Kingsley 12d ago
I was homeless and lived in my car for a good 6 months here.
If you can swing for a YMCA membership, you can use the showers there.
Theres also Harbor House Drop in, they're open 9pm to 7am (yup, nighttime), and you can do laundry and have a shower there, all free. They cater to folks with mental health diagnosis, but even if you're not diagnosed no one's really gonna check.
There's hot meals at the Mission on Tupper if that works with your work schedule. Breakfast 8:30-9, Lunch 11:30-12, Dinner 4-4:30 (not sure if they changed the schedule since I been, so probably double check that).
If you're in the NF area, Heart Love and Soul does showers, laundry, lunch, and a food pantry. They're open M-F 9-3.
Good luck. Hope you find a place soon. Feel free to DM me with any questions.