If you need help finding shelter tonight, you're not alone. This page is designed for people in urgent housing situations. The resources here are real, accessible, and ready to help right now. Whether you're about to lose your home, sleeping outside, or in a dangerous housing situation, there are people and programs ready to support you.
If You Need Shelter Tonight
The fastest way to find emergency shelter is through 211 or your local Continuum of Care. These systems are designed to quickly connect you to available beds and services.
Call 211. This is the single most important number to know. You can call 211 anytime, anywhere in the United States. Tell them you need emergency shelter tonight. They'll connect you to available emergency shelters in your area, tell you how to get there, and help you understand what to expect. If you can't call, you can text your zip code to 898211 for the same service.
What 211 can help with: Emergency shelters, transitional housing, rapid rehousing programs, benefits applications, mental health and substance use services, food assistance, healthcare, utility assistance, and more. The counselors on 211 are trained to help people in crisis and will help you navigate options specific to your situation.
SAMHSA's Homeless Resources. If you also have substance use or mental health concerns, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) maintains a directory of emergency services, shelters, and supportive housing programs. Call 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7) or visit findtreatment.gov to search for resources near you.
Local emergency shelters. Every city and county has emergency shelters or warming centers. These are typically free and available nightly or on cold weather nights. When you call 211, they'll tell you which shelters have beds available and how to access them. You don't need appointments, ID, or documentation — just show up.
What to expect at an emergency shelter: When you arrive, you'll go through an intake process where staff ask about your situation, any immediate safety concerns, and connect you to services. Most emergency shelters provide a bed, meals, and a safe place to sleep. Typical rules include no alcohol or drugs on premises, check-in times, and a curfew. Most shelters don't turn people away for not meeting these rules—they focus on getting you safe. Many emergency shelters also provide case management, help applying for benefits, and connection to longer-term housing programs. Typical stays range from a few nights to 30 days while longer-term housing is arranged.
Most Important Numbers (Call 24/7)
211 — Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, local resources
988 — Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text)
1-800-799-7233 — National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-877-424-3838 — Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-662-4357 — SAMHSA National Helpline (substance use & mental health)
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) were created as part of the American Rescue Plan in 2021. These are federal vouchers specifically designed to help people exit homelessness quickly. The federal government issued 70,000 EHV vouchers to public housing authorities (PHAs) across the country. If you're experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, you may qualify for an EHV.
Who qualifies for Emergency Housing Vouchers:
- People currently experiencing homelessness (living in shelter, car, or on the streets)
- People at imminent risk of homelessness (eviction notice, domestic violence, loss of housing)
- People fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking
- People experiencing chronic homelessness (12+ months of homelessness or four or more episodes in three years)
How Emergency Housing Vouchers work: An EHV is similar to a Section 8 voucher but with special provisions for people in crisis. With an EHV, you receive rental assistance to move into an apartment in the private market. The assistance covers a portion of the rent, and you pay the rest (typically 30% of your income). EHVs come with supportive services case management to help you find housing, maintain your tenancy, and connect to other services you need.
Important: The EHV program is facing a critical challenge. In 2025, HUD announced that public housing authorities have received their final funding allocation for new EHV vouchers. This means funds may be depleted by the end of fiscal year 2026. Currently, more than 56,000 families are receiving assistance through EHV. These families are at risk of losing their housing when EHV funding ends unless Congress approves additional funding. This is a real, ongoing crisis. If you're considering EHV, apply immediately if you qualify—don't wait.
How to access Emergency Housing Vouchers: You cannot apply directly to HUD for an EHV. Instead, you work through your local Continuum of Care (CoC), which is the coordinating body for homeless services in your area. When you call 211 and explain you're experiencing homelessness, the counselor can connect you to your local CoC coordinated entry system. The CoC will assess your situation, determine your priority, and connect you to an EHV program if you qualify and if vouchers are available. Time matters here—apply as soon as you're eligible.
Find your Continuum of Care: Visit hudexchange.info, click "CoC Program," and search by city or county. This will give you the contact information for the coordinating agency in your area. You can also call 211 and ask to be connected to your local CoC coordinated entry system.
Rapid Rehousing
Rapid Rehousing is a program designed to help people exit homelessness quickly. Unlike traditional shelter, which is temporary and congregate, Rapid Rehousing helps you move into your own apartment with rental assistance and case management support.
What Rapid Rehousing is: It's short-term rental assistance combined with case management. The program covers a portion of your rent (or helps you pay application fees and deposits) while you stabilize your income and housing situation. Case managers help you find safe housing, work with landlords, access benefits, find employment, and address barriers to housing stability. Most Rapid Rehousing programs provide assistance for 3 to 24 months, though the average is closer to 12 months.
How it works: You're matched with a Rapid Rehousing provider who helps you search for an apartment. Once you find a place, the program may pay your security deposit, first month's rent, or the entire rent for a set period. As you stabilize (through employment, benefits, or other income), you gradually take on more of the rent payment. During the program, your case manager helps you navigate any issues—landlord conflicts, employment problems, access to benefits, health issues, or other barriers. The goal is to help you become stably housed and self-sufficient before the assistance ends.
Who it's for: Rapid Rehousing is available to people experiencing homelessness or those at imminent risk. You don't need to have been homeless for a set amount of time—if you're in shelter or about to lose your housing, you likely qualify.
How to access Rapid Rehousing: Rapid Rehousing programs are funded through your local Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. Call 211 or contact your local CoC coordinated entry system. Tell them you need rapid rehousing assistance. If you're in an emergency shelter, staff there can connect you to Rapid Rehousing programs. The process is designed to be fast—your goal is to move from shelter to your own apartment as quickly as possible.
For Specific Situations
If you're a veteran: The military recognizes that veterans face unique barriers to housing. SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) provides Rapid Rehousing specifically for veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. SSVF programs prioritize veteran households and provide housing assistance plus support services. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-877-424-3838 to find SSVF programs near you. You can also call 211 and specify that you're a veteran seeking housing assistance.
If you're fleeing domestic violence: The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 (you can also text or chat online). They can connect you to emergency shelters, safety planning, legal assistance, and housing programs specifically designed for people fleeing abuse. Many emergency shelters have specific DV units. Additionally, under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), if you're on Section 8 or public housing and fleeing domestic violence, you may be eligible for an emergency transfer to another unit or jurisdiction without losing your voucher. The National DV Hotline can help you navigate these options.
If you're a young person (under 25) experiencing homelessness: Federal funding supports Runaway & Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) programs in every state. These programs provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services designed specifically for young people. Covenant House operates emergency shelters in major cities with services including meals, counseling, job training, and education support. Find RHYA programs through 211 or by searching "runaway homeless youth services [your city]."
Taking the First Step
If you need shelter or housing assistance tonight, here's what to do:
- Call 211 (or text your zip code to 898211) and tell them you need emergency shelter tonight.
- If you're in a mental health or substance use crisis, also call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 or 988.
- If you're fleeing domestic violence, call the National DV Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
- Go to the shelter or location 211 directs you to. Bring important documents if you have them (ID, birth certificate, social security card), but don't let not having them stop you from getting to safety. Shelters can help you get replacements.
- Once you're in shelter, connect with your case manager about longer-term options—Emergency Housing Vouchers, Rapid Rehousing, or other housing programs.
The most important step is the first one. Reaching out for help is not weakness—it's the right choice. The system is designed to help you, and people are ready.