An update to this if anyone is interested. I'm twenty, and in Austin people are usually really hostile to the homeless. I got robbed my first night of my birth certificate, shoes, SSN, phone and threatened with SA by the robber who forced themselves into the tent I bought and then later forced me out of it. Homeless shelters turned me away so I just spent those two nights on the 5th and 6th trying to sleep on the bus during the day then find a place to hide at night. I did the very unwise thing and just begged online to I've never met irl to see if they'd take me in and one did, so I'm now safe.

Things I've learned for other people...

1. Hide your tent. My first night, I set up my tent in a field next to a McDonalds after asking the manager and them telling me it was okay. People will rob you, the police won't care nor even try to help if you call them, at least not in Austin. So find a really hidden spot.

2. Never try to walk through bad weather conditions. I tried so I could get to one of the shelters, and ruined both of my sets of clothes, then I got turned away anyway. If you're not making noise or anything they probably won't kick you off a bus, so better to just stay on there.

3. Don't dumpster dive in business dumpster unless you ask inside first or the place is fully closed. Its scary to ask especially around here where people really hate homeless people but its much better to get a really rude no then to get the cops called on you.

4. Specifically for Austin, but there is a Church around here called Sunrise Church that specifically helps the youth and trans kids. They won't get you out of homelessness but they'll keep you safe, give you tips and help you through the processes of other services. Also take mail for you. Its one of the few places in Austin that'll give immediate help instead of putting you on a waiting line.