What To Do First When You Get Kicked Out​ of Your Home

Getting kicked out—whether by your family, a partner, or a roommate—is one of the most disorienting and terrifying things a person can experience. It can feel like the ground has suddenly been ripped out from beneath you when the place you once called home no longer feels safe or accessible. 

Being kicked out of your home is a deeply personal situation, but it’s not uncommon. It’s important to remember that it’s not a failure on your part. Many people have been through a similar experience and found a way to get back on their feet. 

Right now, you don’t have to have all the answers. Although it may feel overwhelming at the moment, you can take things step by step to make sure your immediate needs are taken care of. If you don’t know what to do when you get kicked out of your home, here are 8 steps you can take.

1. Prioritize Your Immediate Safety First

Your immediate safety should be your first priority. If you’re not physically safe in your current location, focus on getting to a safer place, even temporarily. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 for help. If that’s not an option, consider going to a public place like a library, hospital, police station, or even a 24-hour diner. 

It’s natural to feel panicked and disoriented when you get kicked out of your home, especially if it happened suddenly. Take a few deep breaths to ground yourself. Remember that you don’t have to fix everything today. Focus on making sure you’re safe first, then you can move on to the next thing. 

“When someone is in crisis and trying to find a safe place to stay, one of the first things to do is breathe. To manage panic or overwhelm in the moment it is time to recalibrate. By taking intentional breaths to reset your thinking into a state where you can plan and strategize as opposed to panicking which shuts down the thinking part of the brain.”

– Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith LCSW DD

2. Look for a Place to Stay Tonight

Once you’re physically safe, your next step is to look for a place to stay, even if it’s just for tonight. Start with your most accessible options. Friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors who may be willing to let you stay for a night or two. 

When asking for help with a place to stay, you don’t have to get into details about why you got kicked out of the house, but it’s important to be honest about your situation. You can say you’re in a tough spot and need a temporary place to stay. 

If family and friends aren’t an option, seek nearby shelters. Many cities offer free services to people in a housing crisis. You can start with the Homeless Shelters Directory or by calling 211, where you can search for homeless shelters in your city. 

If you’re a teen wondering how to survive being homeless temporarily, Safe Place may be able to help. You can visit the website to search for a Safe Place site near you or text the word “safe” to 4HELP (44357).

If you’re affected by domestic violence, you can search for local shelters using your zip code on the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. 

3. Gather Your Essentials (If You Can)

If you still have access to the place you’ve been kicked out of and it’s safe for you to go back, gathering some essentials can help you prepare for your next steps. 

Here’s a list of essentials you should try to grab:

• Identification (such as your driver’s license, passport, or school ID)
• Phone and charger
• Medications 
• Credit/debit cards and cash
• Bank records 
• Change of clothes
• Hygiene items
• Health insurance card 

If you have more time, try to gather other important documents such as your social security card, birth certificate, and legal documents.

Don’t risk harm by going back if it’s not safe. Although having these essentials can make things easier, remember they can always be replaced, and protecting your life and safety is more important. Some shelters or other organizations can help you replace these documents, if needed. 

4. Know Your Legal Rights

Depending on your situation, you may have some legal protections. If you’re under 18, your parents or guardians have a legal responsibility to care for you and must make arrangements for your care. Child Protective Services, a school social worker, or a local youth shelter may be a good resource for you in this situation. 

If you’re over 18, you may have legal rights as a tenant, even if you’re living in a place without a lease. Legal aid groups can help you understand your rights. You can start with LawHelp.org to find help in your area. If you’re affected by domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can help you find a legal provider near you.

5. Plan the Next Few Days

Once your immediate needs are met and you’re safe, you can take the first steps to plan your next few days. Don’t try to plan your entire future right now. Focus on one thing at a time and think about just the next few days.

To help you plan, start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Is there anyone I trust who can help me right now?
• Do I have access to my ID and other important documents?
• Do I need to replace anything I left behind?
• Where can I stay tomorrow?
• Do I need time off work or school?
• Should I contact a shelter, crisis center, or legal aid organization?

Make a list of the things you need to do, but don’t feel pressure to do it all at once. Try to prioritize what you need to do first and take it one step at a time. 

“If you feel frozen by all the unknowns in a situation, it is best to talk to someone who knows about the resources and the options that are available, as they can suggest the best course of action. You can then be empowered to make the best decision for you, but you need to understand the options that are available.”

– Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith LCSW DD

6. Let Yourself Feel the Emotions

Being kicked out of your home, especially by someone you trusted, is a painful experience. It can bring up feelings like shock, shame, fear, grief, rage, and betrayal. You may even feel numb. 

Once you’re safe, give yourself space to feel your feelings. You’re allowed to grieve what you’ve lost, even if you’re also relieved to be out of a toxic environment. If your emotions feel overwhelming or out of control, you can try to use some simple relaxation techniques to feel more grounded. Try taking a few slow, deep breaths in through your nose while you let your belly, not your chest, expand. Then exhale gently through your mouth while letting your belly fall. 

Using a relaxation technique doesn’t change how you feel, but it can help your nervous system settle enough to keep going. 

“I’ve been kicked out before and had a 6-month-old at the time. I told an acquaintance, and she was calm and could offer suggestions, which I found very helpful. I had a strong knowing that this was temporary and not a permanent condition of victimization. My first advice would be to call on your resources, listen, and identify your options. Second is to know that this too shall pass. It’s helpful to envision yourself successful and permanently housed.”

– Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith LCSW DD

7. Utilize Local Free Resources

You don’t have to navigate getting kicked out alone. Many communities have free resources designed to help people in crisis. You can start by calling 211 or visiting 211.org. The operator can help you find shelters or crisis centers near you. A public library, healthcare center, or faith-based organization may have additional resources to help. 

Seek specialized programs to meet your needs. For example, if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, an organization like True Colors United may be able to help. If you’re under 18, the National Runaway Safeline is available 24 hours a day. They can also help with free transportation to a safe place to stay.  

Using free resources doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re taking steps to protect yourself and get the support you need. These resources exist to help people going through hard times in life. 

8. Explore Long-Term Housing Options

When you’ve addressed your short-term needs, you can begin to think about more long-term solutions. Long-term housing options may include:

• Staying with a friend or relative
• Applying for transitional or supportive housing programs
• Looking into room rentals or shared housing options
• Reaching out to social services or nonprofit housing organizations 

Keep in mind that getting long-term housing can take some time, so it’s important to be patient. You may also consider asking for help from a social worker to navigate the resources available to you and guide you through the application process.  

FAQs About Getting Kicked Out

Getting kicked out of the house with nowhere to go raises many urgent questions. Here are some of the most common concerns, along with resources to help you find immediate support. 

Where can I sleep if I get kicked out?

You can start by contacting a trusted friend or family member. If that’s not an option, look for a shelter near you. Resources to help find a place to sleep tonight include:

• Homeless Shelter Directory
• 211.org 
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Safe Place

You can also check your local library, hospital, or churches to learn more about resources in your area.

Can someone legally kick me out without an eviction notice?

Eviction laws differ depending on where you live and whether your name is on the lease. In many states, even if you don’t have a formal lease, you may still be considered a tenant. That means you can’t be kicked out without proper notice. 

A legal aid organization, like LawHelp.org, can help you learn more about what rights you have in your state. Community organizations can also help protect your tenant rights. You can check JustShelter.org to find a directory of community organizations in your area that can help. 

Can my parents kick me out of the house?

If you’re under 18, it may be considered neglect or abandonment to kick you out of the house. If this applies to you, there are organizations available to help teens navigate the next steps. If you’re over 18, your parents can ask you to leave, but they still may need to follow local laws regarding eviction. Seek help from a lawyer if you’re unsure. 

Can a roommate legally kick me out without notice?

Your roommate can’t kick you out of the house without proper notice. This is especially true if your name is on the lease agreement. Even if you’re not on the lease, many areas still require a formal eviction process. In most cases, changing the locks or forcing you out of the home without notice is usually illegal. 

Where can I sleep if I have no money or ID?

Many shelters and crisis centers offer free emergency housing without money or an ID. Some shelters even help you replace your ID and other essential documents. 

How do I get into a shelter?

The requirements can differ between shelters. Many will accept walk-ins during their intake hours, but some shelters require you to call first. Arrive early, if possible, because space is often limited. 

Take Care of Your Mental Health, Too

Surviving being kicked out of your home requires more than just a roof over your head — it also takes emotional strength. Even after you’ve found a safe place to stay, the experience can still feel mentally exhausting, scary, and lonely. It’s normal to struggle with anxiety or sadness as you adjust to this big change. 

Emotional support is as important as physical safety and shelter. Talking to someone you trust can help you process what you’re feeling and build coping skills. Therapy can be a valuable resource for building emotional resilience. 

If you’re concerned with how to pay for therapy, Talkspace offers flexible plans that might fit your budget or be covered by insurance. With Talkspace, you can talk to a licensed online therapist from anywhere. Reaching out for help is a courageous step that can make a difference as you navigate this challenging time.