Below, choose which type of housing assistance you need most. Every category has real organizations with real phone numbers — call ahead when possible, but walk-ins are accepted at many locations.
Present in every zip code in the US. Operates emergency shelters, transitional living centers, and long-term housing supports in hundreds of communities. Serves men, women, children, veterans, and families without discrimination.
National Hotline: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769)
Website: salvationarmyusa.org
Find your nearest shelter using the online locator. Walk-ins accepted at most locations.
One of the nation's largest providers of affordable and transitional housing. Serves homeless veterans, families, seniors, and youth. Operates shelters, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing programs nationwide.
Address: 1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 2000, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 341-5000
Website: voa.org
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rental assistance in nearly every diocese in the country. Open to all regardless of faith or background.
Address: 2050 Ballenger Ave, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 549-1390
Website: catholiccharitiesusa.org
Specializes in keeping families with children together during housing crises. Provides emergency shelter alternatives, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing through a network of local affiliates nationwide.
Phone: (908) 273-1100
Website: familypromise.org
Find a local affiliate using the locator on their website.
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services specifically for youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness. Present in major cities across the US. Crisis shelters open 24/7.
Address: 5 Penn Plaza, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Crisis Line: 1-800-999-9999 (24/7)
Website: covenanthouse.org
Emergency shelter during and after disasters. Free of charge. Use their online shelter map or call to find the nearest open location during a crisis.
Emergency: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Website: redcross.org/get-help
The primary federal agency for housing assistance. Programs include Emergency Housing Vouchers, Continuum of Care grants, and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program for long-term assistance.
HUD Local Assistance Finder: hud.gov/localoffices
Phone: 1-800-569-4287
Combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans. One of the most effective long-term housing programs for veterans.
VA National Homeless Hotline: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) — 24/7
Website: va.gov/homeless
After a declared disaster, FEMA's TSA program pays for hotel stays while you are displaced. Register with FEMA first at disasterassistance.gov, then use your registration number to find a participating hotel.
FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
Website: disasterassistance.gov
Long-term rental assistance for low-income families. Administered locally by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Waitlists are often long — apply as soon as possible.
Find your local PHA: hud.gov — PHA Contacts
Address: 33 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 607-5294
Right to shelter city — anyone in need can access emergency shelter 24/7. Families with children: PATH intake center at 151 E. 151st St., Bronx. Singles: Call 311 for nearest intake.
Address: 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 226-6214
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term recovery programs for men. Open 24/7 for crisis intake. One of NYC's oldest and most established shelters.
Address: 460 West 41st Street, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 613-0300
24/7 crisis shelter for youth ages 18–24. Also provides transitional housing, mother & child programs, and long-term support. Open to walk-ins around the clock.
Address: 515 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 1300, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone: (213) 225-8000
The primary coordinating body for homelessness services in LA County. Call to be connected to the nearest shelter, transitional housing, or rapid rehousing program.
Address: 545 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 347-6300
One of the largest rescue missions in the US. Emergency shelter for men, women, and families. Walk-ins accepted. Transitional housing and long-term programs also available.
Address: 3804 Broadway Place, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Phone: (213) 389-1500
Year-round emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing for families, veterans, and youth. Call for current availability and intake process.
Address: 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 1006, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 744-5000
City housing assistance programs including emergency rental help, shelter referrals, and long-term housing vouchers. Call or visit cityofchicago.org/housing for program details.
Address: 1458 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 492-9410
One of the largest emergency shelters in the Midwest. Open 24/7. Serves men, women, and families. Provides emergency beds, meals, and transitional housing programs.
Address: 224 N. Desplaines Street, Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 707-9000
Transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing for veterans, families, and individuals. Call for current program availability.
Address: 6897 Ardmore Street, Houston, TX 77054
Phone: (713) 748-0700
Emergency shelter for men, women, and families. Transitional housing and long-term recovery programs. Walk-ins accepted. One of Houston's largest homeless service providers.
Address: 1212 Chartres Street, Houston, TX 77003
Phone: (713) 739-7752
Daytime resource center connecting people to emergency shelter, transitional housing, medical services, and benefits enrollment. Call for referrals to overnight shelters.
Address: 4808 Yale Street, Houston, TX 77018
Phone: (713) 460-0781
Transitional housing and supportive services for veterans, families, and individuals. Rapid rehousing programs available. Call for current intake process.
Address: 230 S. 12th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 256-6945
The largest emergency shelter campus in Arizona. Provides emergency beds, transitional housing, and wraparound services for single adults. Walk-ins served based on availability.
Address: 214 S. 12th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 255-0580
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for men experiencing homelessness. Also provides meals and social services. Walk-in intake available.
Address: 2707 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 267-4100
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and family assistance. Call for current availability. Multiple Phoenix-area locations.
Address: 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 686-7150
City-run emergency shelter system. Anyone in need of emergency shelter can call or present to an intake site. The 24-hour hotline connects callers to available shelter beds.
Address: 302 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 922-6400
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for men and women. Long-term recovery programs available. Walk-ins accepted based on bed availability.
Address: 1515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: (215) 232-7272
Street outreach, emergency housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Focus on chronically homeless adults. One of Philadelphia's most comprehensive providers.
Address: 1 Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone: (210) 220-2100
Largest homeless campus in Texas. Emergency shelter ("Prospect Courtyard") open 24/7 for crisis intake. Transitional housing, job training, and comprehensive wraparound services.
Address: 1221 E. Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 224-5569
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for men, women, and families. Call for current bed availability and intake requirements.
Address: 110 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: (210) 223-3131
Emergency rental and utility assistance to prevent homelessness. Short-term help for those on the verge of losing housing. Walk-in intake available.
Address: 3737 Fifth Avenue, Suite 203, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 542-1877
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and outreach services throughout San Diego. Operates Bridge Shelter program for those transitioning off the streets.
Address: 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: (619) 446-2100
One of the largest homeless service providers in San Diego. Emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and medical services. Walk-in intake available.
Address: 1335 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 239-4037
Emergency shelter and transitional housing. Call for current availability. Multiple San Diego locations.
Address: 1818 Corsicana Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 670-1100
Dallas's primary homeless services hub. 24/7 intake for emergency shelter. Transitional housing, mental health services, and job training all on-site. Walk-ins accepted.
Address: 2929 Hickory Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Phone: (214) 428-4242
Emergency overnight shelter for adults. One of the largest shelters in Dallas. Walk-ins welcome based on capacity. Also provides meals and case management.
Address: 5302 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: (214) 424-7050
Emergency shelter and transitional housing. Family services and rental assistance also available. Call for current intake hours and availability.
Address: 147 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Phone: (408) 539-2100
Santa Clara County's largest homeless shelter provider. Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Serves the San Jose/Silicon Valley area.
Address: 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone: (408) 243-0222
Emergency shelter and transitional housing specifically for youth and young adults (12–25). Crisis intervention and long-term housing support in the South Bay area.
Address: 405 N. 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 282-1165
Emergency shelter and transitional housing for individuals and families. Call for current bed availability and intake requirements.
Important Reminder: Hours, eligibility, and bed availability change frequently. Always call ahead before visiting.
Dialing 211 from any phone at any time connects you to a live person who can locate real-time available shelter in your area.
For veterans specifically: 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will connect you to VA homeless programs in your area immediately.
Life Matters Faith • Housing Assistance Resources • Updated 2026