Tips for Engaging with a Person Experiencing Houselessness:

Quick Tips

Offering a warm smile, wave or nod is often the best first step in communication.
Offering a cold or hot drink or food is often welcome, but offering assistance should not come with strings attached.
Be respectful of personal space and consider the space they occupy to be their home. Be respectful of unseen boundaries.
Learn their name and share your name.
Don't make promises you aren't 100% sure you will keep. This does so much damage.
Take time to get to know someone and return to see them again.

Offering friendly conversation may be welcome, but may also be intrusive.
Be very sensitive to non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expression, and tone of voice.
Conversational engagement requires a delicate and mindful approach. People are sleeping outside for a variety of reasons that may not be apparent from a distance.
Don't pressure people to engage.
Realize it may take many brief encounters to build trust and don't expect too much too soon.

Offering socks, lip balm, sunscreen, a hat, gloves or other items that help protect against the weather are often appreciated.
Small hygiene items are often appreciated.

Do speak calmly and clearly.
Don't ask too many personal questions.
Do spend time chatting.
Don't overstay your welcome.
Do share.
Don't overshare.
Do offer to visit again.
Don't break promises.
As always when you are out and about; be mindful of your surroundings and stay safe.