Interview Clothing
Ask 211, HUD clothing providers, American Job Centers, shelters, career closets and local Dress for Success affiliates about clean professional clothing, shoes and accessories.
← National Job Services
Practical help without judgment
I am homeless and I want to work.
Free Local Job & Training Help →Learn how American Job Centers can help with local openings, employer referrals and eligible training.Housing instability does not erase your ability, experience or right to pursue meaningful employment. Begin with immediate needs, then connect those services to a realistic job-search plan.
If you are in immediate dangerCall 911. If you are in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, call or text 988.
Start with 211Ask for homeless services or coordinated entry. If 211 does not connect from your phone, use 211.org to find the local number.
Four strong starting points
Reach a real local service—not a promise.
National organizations usually connect people to local providers; they do not guarantee an available bed, clothing, haircut or job. Call before traveling whenever possible.
01Begin here
Call 211
Ask for emergency shelter, coordinated entry, food, clothing, showers, hygiene supplies, transportation, identification help and employment services. Availability differs by community.
Find my local 211 ↗02Search by locationHUD Find Shelter
Use the official HUD tool to find shelters, food pantries, health clinics and clothing resources near you.
Open HUD Find Shelter ↗03Government guidanceUSAGov Emergency Housing
Find official directions for emergency housing, local homeless-service providers, public housing agencies and specialized veteran or youth help.
Review emergency-housing help ↗04Speak with a personUSAGov Contact Center
Call 1-844-USAGOV1 (1-844-872-4681) for help locating federal programs, benefits and the government agency that handles your question.
Open USAGov contact help ↗Prepare for the next opportunity
Clean clothing, grooming, food and a safe place to apply are employment needs.
Ask directly. A local provider may know about services that are not easy to find online.
Remove the barriers around the job search
Find the practical help you need.
Programs and eligibility vary by city. These national starting points help you identify the organization serving your location.
Haircuts & Personal Care
Ask 211 for mobile shower programs, hygiene kits, barber or cosmetology-school clinics, Project Homeless Connect events and shelters that schedule volunteer grooming services.
Food Today
Find food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and meal programs. Hunger Free America also helps callers locate nearby food resources.
Health Care
Locate federally supported Health Care for the Homeless providers and ask about medical, dental, behavioral-health and medical-respite services.
Veteran Assistance
Veterans who are homeless or at risk can reach trained VA counselors free and confidentially, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Employment & Training
American Job Centers can provide job-search help and may offer supportive services such as transportation, uniforms, tools, licensing fees or short-term training when funding and eligibility permit.
What to say when you call
Describe the barrier clearly.
You do not need special language. Tell the person what you need today and that your goal is employment.
- I need safe shelter or coordinated-entry help today.
- I need clean interview clothing, shoes and personal-care supplies.
- I need a shower, laundry access or a haircut before an interview.
- I need help replacing identification or receiving mail.
- I need transportation, a phone, internet or a safe place to complete applications.
- I want employment help—not only a list of shelters.
Continue close to home
Find employment resources for your state.
Use your NJS state center for workforce and employer resources. For immediate local support, use 211, HUD and the state center together.
The White House contact system is for communicating with the President and does not promise individual homeless-service referrals. The official USAGov Contact Center is designed to help people locate government programs, benefits and the appropriate agency. Call 1-844-872-4681 or use the official White House contact form if you specifically want to communicate with the White House.