h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was homeless on a few brief occasions, but that was a picnic
compared to a real thing, so I have no usefull tips whatsoever.
On the other hand, I quite often provided a shelter to severly down-and-out friends, and this is what I've learned:
1.Make them feel welcome(Mi Casa Su Casa approach),that's
the best way to treat the shell-shock of losing one's shelter.The
victim's sense of belonging must be restored at all costs.
2.Keep them alert.Victims tend to cocoon as their reality-facing
systems often crash.Do not encourage booze or dope (mis)use.
3.Be constructive.Supply every concievable information that can eventually help victim's resocialisation.(telephone numbers and/
or brochures of relevant institutions, other friends with usefull contacts ,etc.)
Good luck to both of you and keep in mind that the situation you're in demands clear deadlines if you want to preserve the
friendship.Unless, of course, the affair evolves into a love one-
but that's a different ball game anyway.