What does it take to open a non-profit organization so that homeless people can become independent again?

Contact the Salvation Army

Many existing places to help the homeless focus on providing food. Perhaps you could go to one and offer another service such as after school tutoring for children, or reading help or resume service for adults, starting an AA group or counseling program if you're qualified. Good luck.

If you don't have any non-profit experience, chances are you are going to waste your resources until you gain enough experience to make your non-profit work, which will be around the same time you are completely out of money. Starting a non-profit is the same as starting a small businesss... don't jump in without knowing what you are doing. I would suggest that you work for a non-profit that works with the homeless FIRST. Work there for a few years, and then you will know something about working with homeless people, about running a non-profit, and hopefully have a few connections in your community that you can draw upon. You may even discover that you DON'T NEED to start your own non-profit, and instead can work with and expand an existing non-profit. A lot of start-up non-profits find themselves competing with existing non-profits for the same limited pool of grant funding and community donors. The start-ups are often less efficient, less experienced, and less organized... and offer fewer services than the more established agencies. So, unless there are no other providers in your area, you may want to think about whether or not your community really needs another non-profit that works with the homeless.

Go to grants.gov. I know you have to write a proposal about how you will use the money and show how it will work. The first thing I would do is calculate how much your start up costs, and monthly expenses would be. Show what type of services and programs you will provide. Such as a few computers for job search or training classes. Books for literacy training etc. Make sure you include everything you want to do so they can provide you with the right amount of funding. Oh yeah, make sure you calculate rental costs, utilities, food, phone, etc. I heard that there are so many people applying for them that sometimes they might turn you away, but it's best to keep submitting your proposal and don't give up you will eventually get your chance.

The first step in solving the homeless problem is to fix the problem with the mental health system.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... and patients and alot of spare time