Divorce brings about a host of financial, physical and emotional challenges for both parties, and the change in circumstances can also result in homelessness for many people.
Though studies have shown that women are more likely than men to lose homeownership after a divorce, there are men who are also experiencing the challenges of temporarily being without a roof over their heads, as they are more likely to move out once talks about divorce begin.
Being without a home – even for a brief period – can be disheartening, especially when your family is in the process of breaking up. However, you can get back on your feet and deal with this setback if you plan ahead and keep communication lines open with your ex. Here’s how you can cope with temporary homelessness after a divorce.
Coping With Temporary Homelessness After Divorce
Stay in a different room at home
Before making any rash decisions, it’s best to talk things over with your ex first so you can figure out who’s going to live in the house or if it would be better to just put it on the market. If the split is amicable, perhaps you can create a different living arrangement that would enable both of you to stay in the property while giving each other some much-needed space. If you think that this arrangement wouldn’t work, think back to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s split in 2015.
It can be recalled that the actor stayed in the guest house of their family home while the “Alias” actress stayed in their house with their children, and the two figured out a way to end their marriage in a healthy way while being in close proximity with each other. Consider staying in different rooms for now while you figure out the next steps in your separation, but don’t forget to actively look for a new place so you can be secure once you’ve reached a decision about your living situation.
Go to an emergency shelter
If the situation calls for you to leave your home right away, then pack up your things and go if that’s what it takes to stay safe or to keep the peace. If it’s the middle of the night and you have nowhere to go, consider going to an emergency shelter. Depending on where you go, some places will offer you a bed so you can rest for the night, while others will provide that as well as basic necessities such as clothing, meals and toiletries. Some shelters can even provide you with free housing for 15 to 30 days, and you may be able to stay longer as long as you show proof that you’re actively searching for a job.
As a last resort, you may consider spending the night in your vehicle, but be aware that you may be exposed to the dangers of sleeping out in the open. It’s unsafe to sleep in your car if you’re parked in a dangerous area or if the weather condition is particularly harsh. Moreover, sleeping with the AC on and your engine running could be dangerous to your health. If you have no other choice but to spend the night in your car, park at an overnight rest stop, lock your doors, and turn the engine off. The next day, contact your relatives and friends and see if you can find a place where you can stay for the time being.
Look for a cheap rental
If staying with a friend or a family member isn’t possible, then the best thing to do is to look for a cheap rental. As staying at a hotel or motel can be costly, see if you can find someone who’s renting out a bed or a spare room within your area so you can stay in touch with your ex and children while you work through your divorce.
You can also rent an RV and park at a local campground, rent a room at the YMCA, or rent a small studio apartment if your funds can cover the cost. The idea is to minimize living costs for now, as you’ll have to have your finances in order while you’re working through your divorce.
Being temporarily homeless can be tough while you’re going through a divorce. However, don’t let it stop you from finding solutions so you can get back on your feet and find a permanent home where you can live a peaceful life after the end of your marriage.
Jess Walter is a freelance writer and mother. She loves the freedom that comes with freelance life and the additional time it means she gets to spend with her family and pets.
Im getting divorced after 36 years of marriage. I justbturned 60 yesterday and insee it in my wife thatbshe does not care that we arevgetting divorced, well she’s the one that wantsbit anyway. So i’ ve decided that ill live in my car. My adult children tell me to rent an apartment but im not doing that. I want to get in my car and drive across the country if i want. I was heart broken at first but seeing my wife the way she is now toward me has made me change my mind. Im glad i saw this because i was planing on killing myself. Now i feel so much better.
Don’t kill yourself bro, hopefully you haven’t already. Don’t attach any more meaning to your ended relationship other than you escaped from consensual indentured slavery. Women have expiration dates, they are time bombs. The greatest men just endure the pain and smile, others, don’t. It’s universal, those who say it’s not that way, are either lying or judge their situation less critically than you would, if you could see what goes on behind their closed doors. So ask yourself what did you lose in your divorce? Was she having sex with you every night? Lol of course not, women only enjoy sex when they first meet you and think you’re Prince Charming. Later, it’s just a chore to perform for a guy she has mounted a lifetime list of faults and failures you have disappointed her with, while omitting all the good times completely. Next, you lost her company, well was she really pleasant to be around? No of course not, probably complained day and night. 3rd are you alone in divorce? Of course not, join a ymca recreation club, golf club, motor bike club, any club you can and enjoy the freedom of doing what you want, when you want with whoever you want. Women in marriage destroy all that because after they marry they self destruct. They start to melt like wax figurines, they look like nuclear fallout survivors. So don’t focus on mourning the fantasy of what you feel you lost, Focus on the reality of new life and possibly you can explore. Grab yourself some ice cream, look to Christ for direction, and enjoy some time on a sandy beach, or fishing with some buddies. Don’t mourn the lost hatchet removed from your back, just because you became accustomed to the decades of pain. Keep your chin up and hang on with a smile. Tomorrow, you may find a new gal around the corner, or in a another country who don’t compound natural female retardation with American feminist retardation. Heck the five dollars your ex left you with might be greatly appreciated in that country. Minimum dollar, maximum beauty. Cheers
You have stated the reality of marriage and mine exactly, thank you for your words of encouragement, I need it on my journey to end my toxic marriage. Now the challenge to get out, find a place to live and move forward.
Bro you are fucking sage. Your wisdom is infallible and your description is scary accurate. Who are you? Can we be friends? You are the fucking man!
My wife and I aren’t working out and it hasn’t even been 2 years of marriage. Mostly my fault by befriending people that have caused issues between us. I don’t have a family because I’ve never been close with them. Had a bad fall out with my mom and brother, but we weren’t close anyway. I’ve been mentally prepping myself for being homeless. Figured I could love in my car for a month. That’ll give me enough time to save enough for an apartment. Been really depressed and wish I could make things right, but she just doesn’t care anymore.
Yes, he should find another woman so she too can “melt like a wax figurine.” Meanwhile, aging men begin to smell like death from the inside out when they hit 40. Gag.
It’s a good article and everything but what if you have no friends and family and no money and homeless shelters are not an option right now I’m living out of a tent and I constantly have to move
Any pearls of wisdom for that these fucking authors never experienced this shit themselves.
In what world have I ever seen the women left homeless more then men. Thee only homeless women I’ve ever seen were homeless by there own choice not by the courts.
I am ill and 58 and get a small disability check. I do not have enough monthly income or the health to increase my I uncome by much. I cannot qualify for an apartment. My husband wants to sale the house. He says he never loved me. There is not much equity in it to make much of a difference. I guess it’s me the cats and the dog in the car. I was thinking of getting a small trailer that my vehicle can tow.
My wife is driving me crazy I feel like I’m going to snap and do something ima regret