Emergency Shelters: How to Find One Tonight (2026)

If you need a place to sleep tonight, here are the fastest ways to find an emergency shelter:

1. Call 211. This is the nationwide information hotline operated by United Way. Available 24/7 in most areas. Tell the operator your location and situation. They will find the nearest shelter with available beds and give you directions. You can call from any phone, including a payphone, for free.

2. Text your ZIP code to 898211. You will receive a text back with local shelter information.

3. Visit 211.org. The website has a searchable directory of shelters and services by ZIP code.

4. Walk into a nearby church, hospital, fire station, or police station. They can usually connect you with a shelter or provide emergency assistance. Many churches operate overnight shelters during cold weather.

5. Check HUD's Resource Locator. Visit the HUD Exchange website (hudexchange.info/housing-search) to search for shelters in your area.

6. Call the Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769. They operate emergency shelters in most major cities.

7. During extreme weather, many cities open warming centers (winter) or cooling centers (summer). Call 211 or check your local city government website.

Emergency shelters: These are short-term (1-30 days). They provide a bed, meals, and basic hygiene. First-come, first-served. Most open in the evening and close in the morning. Some allow longer stays based on availability.

Transitional housing: These are medium-term (30 days to 2 years). You usually need to apply and be accepted. They often include case management, job training, and services to help you find permanent housing. Many are through Coordinated Entry (see below).

Domestic violence shelters: These are specifically for people fleeing abuse. Locations are confidential. Call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. They accept women, men, children, and all genders. Stay length varies but typically 30-90 days.

Family shelters: These keep families together. Many emergency shelters only accept single adults, but family shelters have rooms for parents with children. Call 211 and specify you have children.

Veteran shelters: The VA operates the HUD-VASH program and Grant & Per Diem shelters specifically for veterans. Call the VA homeless hotline at 1-877-424-3838. You do not need to have an honorable discharge for most programs.

Youth shelters: For people under 25. The Runaway and Homeless Youth program funds shelters in most states. Call 1-800-786-2929 (National Runaway Safeline). Many accept minors without parental consent.

Sober living / recovery shelters: For people in recovery from substance use. These require sobriety. Many are free or low-cost. Contact SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 to find one.

Religious / faith-based shelters: Many churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples operate overnight shelters, especially in winter. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities are the largest faith-based shelter operators.

Check-in time: Most shelters open between 5-7 PM. Some have earlier check-in. Many have a lottery or line system -- arrive early to guarantee a bed.

Intake process: You will answer basic questions about your name, age, and situation. Many shelters use the Coordinated Entry system (see the services page). Some ask about health conditions or medications.

ID requirements: Most emergency shelters do NOT require ID. You might need to give a name and date of birth, but you usually do not need documents. Some transitional programs do require ID.

Drug and alcohol rules: Most shelters prohibit drugs and alcohol on the premises. Some are "low-barrier" or "wet shelters" that accept people who are currently using substances. Ask 211 about low-barrier options.

Weapons: No weapons are allowed in any shelter.

Belongings: You will usually get a locker or bin for your belongings. Some shelters limit the number of bags you can bring. Valuables are your responsibility.

Meals: Most emergency shelters provide dinner and breakfast. Some also provide a bag lunch. Food is free.

Showers and laundry: Most shelters have showers. Some offer laundry facilities. Towels and soap are usually provided.

Curfew and check-out: Most require you to stay in for the night after curfew (usually 9-10 PM). Morning check-out is typically 7-9 AM. Daytime shelter programs exist in some cities.

Behavior rules: You must respect other guests, follow staff instructions, and maintain quiet hours. Violation can result in being asked to leave.

Essentials to bring if you can: Any ID you have (driver's license, state ID, even expired ones). Medications and prescriptions. A phone and charger (if you have them). A change of clothes. Any important documents (birth certificate, Social Security card, court papers). A small bag or backpack. Hygiene items (toothbrush, etc.) though most shelters provide basics.

Do NOT bring: Weapons of any kind. Drugs or alcohol. Pets (most shelters do not accept pets -- ask about pet-friendly shelters or animal foster programs). Large amounts of belongings (some shelters limit what you can bring in).

If you have nothing, that is okay. Emergency shelters will provide a bed, blankets, food, and basic hygiene items. Not having belongings will not prevent you from getting help.

LGBTQ+ individuals -- especially transgender people -- face higher rates of homelessness and may have safety concerns in general shelters. Here are your options:

LGBTQ+-specific shelters exist in most major cities. Organizations like the Ali Forney Center (New York), the Ruth Ellis Center (Detroit), and the Los Angeles LGBT Center operate dedicated shelters.

The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) can help connect LGBTQ+ youth (under 25) with safe shelter options.

The National Runaway Safeline (1-800-786-2929) has LGBTQ+-trained staff and can help youth find safe placements.

The HUD Equal Access Rule requires all HUD-funded shelters to house people based on their gender identity, not their sex assigned at birth. This means transgender women should be placed in women's shelters, and transgender men in men's shelters.

If you experience discrimination at a shelter, you can file a complaint with HUD at hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint or call 1-800-669-9777.

True Colors United (truecolorsunited.org) maintains a directory of LGBTQ+-affirming service providers.

During extreme cold, many cities open warming centers -- temporary heated spaces where anyone can come in from the cold. These are usually in community centers, churches, libraries, or government buildings. Hours vary -- some are overnight, others daytime only.

During extreme heat, cooling centers provide air-conditioned spaces. These are especially important for elderly people, people with health conditions, and anyone without access to AC.

How to find warming/cooling centers: Call 211. Check your city or county website. Listen to local news during weather emergencies. Many cities activate warming/cooling centers when temperatures drop below 32 degrees F or rise above 95 degrees F.

Warming centers are NOT shelters -- they usually provide a chair, water, and warmth, but not a bed. However, they are lifesaving during dangerous weather.

Shelters are almost always safer than sleeping outside. Benefits include: protection from weather, reduced risk of assault or theft, access to meals and hygiene, connection to case managers who can help you find housing.

However, some people prefer not to use shelters for valid reasons: crowding, theft risk, bed bugs, noise, strict rules, safety concerns (especially for women, trans individuals, and people with trauma). If you choose to sleep outside:

Avoid sleeping alone. Groups are safer than individuals.

Find a well-lit area if possible.

Stay dry. Hypothermia is the biggest weather-related danger. Cardboard under you (as insulation from the ground) helps more than blankets on top.

Let someone know where you are. A friend, outreach worker, or 211 operator.

Street outreach teams in many cities actively look for people sleeping outside to connect them with services. They will not force you to go to a shelter -- they offer help and information.

If someone approaches you aggressively, go to a public space, a fire station, a hospital, or call 911.

Here are the best tools to find a shelter near you:

211.org -- United Way's nationwide service directory. Search by ZIP code for shelters, food, and more.

HUD Exchange (hudexchange.info) -- HUD's housing and shelter search tool.

ShelterListings.org -- Large directory of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and halfway houses by state and city.

HomelessShelterDirectory.org -- Another searchable directory of shelters across the US.

Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org) -- Find your nearest Salvation Army shelter or services center.

Catholic Charities (catholiccharitiesusa.org) -- The largest private social service network in the US. They operate shelters regardless of religion.

YWCA (ywca.org) -- Operates shelters for women and families in many cities.

National Alliance to End Homelessness (endhomelessness.org) -- Policy and resource information.

SAMHSA (samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources) -- Federal resources for homeless services.