Homeless but self taught full stack developer | Hacker News Reader

Homeless but self taught full stack developer

22 pointscrlapples28 comments

Hi, I'm currently homeless but I know how to create fully loaded full stack websites. I cant remember everything off the top of my head, but I can remember most of it. I started coding in 2011 until 2012 with mostly HTML, CSS and javascript. then I just started again in 2024 until now with react, next.js, typescript, tailwind, Shopify and wordpress. I'm here because its free to post and I'm wondering if there's someone out there who is willing to hire someone like me. Thoughts are appreciated.

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If you want to get hired by a traditional company, you need to get into a stable position with a fixed address. If that's not possible right now, you can try doing project-based work on Upwork or similar services. It's quick to get started. It might be a great way to bring in some money immediately and build up a portfolio without the commitment of a full-time role and with a lot of flexibility. You might be able to do some quick 1-day projects and get some quick success going.

If that isn't possible, do whatever you can to build some stability in your life and then worry about the tech work after that. It's a lot easier to focus on software projects when the core parts of your life are stable. Don't feel bad about not being able to accomplish software projects if you have bigger, more immediate life needs to work on first. Wishing you the best!

i got a few gigs and i have an upwork and fiverr profile. but ive only gotten 1 in 5 months on both platforms and that was my uncle. I only really use fiverr because the connects are too expensive. i thought i would get more, but i guess my gig isnt appealing enough.

I know it sounds harsh / easy to say. But stop being homeless (get a shared place, go live with friends / parents, go live in another city).

Otherwise that is going to take up all your attention and prevent you from getting a (better) job.

Do you receive Food Stamps? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups who have a difficult time finding employment. One of the qualifiers is being on "food stamps."

https://detr.nv.gov/Page/Work_Opportunity_Tax_Credit

It's an easy process to get certified as a business and take advantage of the credit. You might share this with prospective Nevada employers.

Thanks, ill definitely let them know. i had no idea it was like that.

Do you have a social worker? I volunteered with the homeless some years ago, and I recall a major problem with the system is that the system does not generally help those who are not inside the shelter system with an assigned social worker.

The reason I bring that up, is that because a good social worker might be able to find you a job training or placement program that utilize those skills, but more traditional routes may not. Even if it's just giving you a space to work would be very helpful

OMT and i'm sure your way on top of, but I'm gonna say it just for the benefit of others: the public library. Consider offering yourself as a volunteer to help them with technology issues, or teach other homeless people about technology.

Especially in a big place like Las Vegas, I think you could find an eager-beaver librarian, who might be willing to help you find suitable employment opportunities given the situation.

Another thing about the public library is that… For lack of better phrasing, it's a safe place that puts members of the housed community in touch with members of the unhoused community. So, my thinking is:

if you can get involved with the public library, and find a librarian to take an interest in your case, through the services and positioning of the library, this could get you some exposure to media/journalists to bring attention to your situation, and maybe a company that might be willing to take the chance. It's a bridge.

i havent tried that but ill contact the nearest library

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44159527

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44159525

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44159528

thanks, ill apply to these now

https://app.gun.io/app/jobs/e67a983a-7b18-4d12-9aaa-f533129f...

Perhaps also put a way of contacting you in your bio.

The link leads me to a login page and the site says i wasnt accepted because i applied for this before. are you trying to list a job?

No, I just saw the job posting and thought it might be relevant.

Oh, ok. I cant apply because it says I wasn't accepted as a dev on their platform. Thanks, though.

I can't offer anything other than my sympathies, but you've got 'em.

Can't hire, but we're working on a resource sharing space. We can talk on either equity or contribution whichever you prefer.

Cool, what kind of resource sharing space? Like you have a group of collaborators?

A collaboration space but for formation, clarity, focused on non-technical aspects of business in presence of technical individuals and investors.

Similar to product hunt, but for early stage, focusing on zero to one stage, from idea to iteration and PMF only.

I would like to do this, but even if i did, i would be looking for income and prioritize that. are you ok with that?

We're currently using our own money and funds for it, so we can't pay you until pre-seed or revenue generated. At least 5 months needed to pay you adequate.

i see, im really hurting on money at the moment.

Same here, homeless but got savings from working. I ended up buying a boat as my new home.

Where are you located?

im in las vegas right now

Unlike the asshole above, I know they're not sewers but storm drains, because I'm the journalist who discovered people were living in them twenty odd years ago. I'm also a full stack dev, but unfortunately I'm in London now, not Vegas.

I wish I could point you at somebody, but since the bottom dropped out of Tony Hsieh's little bro kingdom downtown, Vegas hasn't had much of a startup tech community. I mean, if you hang around the Arts District and strike up conversations with nerdy people, you might have some luck, but even housed people wouldn't be guaranteed and I couldn't even tell you who to talk to or which startups even exist in Vegas anymore, since I left five years ago.

As far as being homeless goes, you're in a hard town for it, but I'm sure you know that. Catholic Charities is one of the few places you can reach out to, they're just north of downtown near Vegas and Foremaster. If you had a car you could move around between Walmart parking lots. Shelter space is effectively nil.

I know you're probably scared shitless, because I've literally been exactly where you are - a homeless dev in Vegas. (If you're at a café using the wifi, especially downtown or down Maryland, I've been where you're sitting.) If I were still in town I could offer you more help, but everyone I knew in Vegas tech either moved away or died.

The Arts District, maybe Commercial Center these days, the UNLV area: those are places I would think you might meet people who can help and sympathize with your situation. Believe me when I say that I understand and I wish you the very best of luck.

You can do this and get out of that situation. I know because I did.

Glad you got out of homelessness. Thats basically my goal, to just not be homeless, not make 100k a year.

You got this. You will make it. The way that you make the best samurai sword is with heat and pressure from a hammer. This is that part of your life. Do not lose hope in the flames of life's forge. Every blow of life's hammer is forging the future you. On the other side of this you are sharp and ready for battle. Churches may be able to help you. I know it sounds wierd to suggest them, but Christ is a redeemer. You're one generous person away from being back on track. Libraries and coffee shops can be your office for now. Good luck and I'm praying for you.

i appreciate it. ive asked a few churches but they ghosted me, though.

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