What emergency housing for families actually is and how to find it
Emergency housing for families is temporary shelter — usually a hotel room, motel voucher, or bed in a family shelter — that your city or county pays for when you have nowhere to sleep tonight or in the next few days. It is not permanent housing, and it is not a long-term rental subsidy. It exists to keep your family off the street while you look for a permanent place or while you wait for other help to come through.
The fastest way to find it is to call your local housing authority, your city's 211 line (dial 2-1-1 from any phone), or your county's emergency services department. These bodies know which shelters have beds available right now, which ones accept families with children, and which ones have specific rules about age, gender, or family size. They also know whether the shelter requires you to leave during the day, whether it provides meals, and whether you can bring a pet.
Speed matters because shelter beds fill up, especially in winter and in cities with high homelessness. Calling during business hours — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays — usually gets you a faster answer than calling at night, though many cities have 24-hour hotlines for families in when ready crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Emergency family shelters are run by your city or county, and the fastest way to find one is to call 211 or your local housing authority during business hours.
- Most shelters require proof that you have nowhere else to go — an eviction notice, a letter from a landlord, or a statement from a friend or family member saying they cannot house you.
- Shelters for families usually allow you to stay for 30 to 90 days while you search for permanent housing, though some cities have shorter or longer limits.
- Many family shelters provide case management, meaning a staff member helps you find permanent housing, explore for rental information, or connect to other services.
- Rules about work, school, and daytime occupancy vary widely by shelter, so ask about them before you arrive.
What you need to bring and what proof they will ask for
Bring photo identification for every adult in your family — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you do not have one, many shelters can still take you in, but you will need to get one within a few days because shelter staff need to verify who you are for safety reasons.
Bring proof that you have no other place to sleep. This can be an eviction notice, a letter from your landlord saying you must leave, a text message or email from a friend or family member saying they cannot house you, or a statement from a domestic violence shelter or hospital saying you fled an unsafe situation. If you have been sleeping in your car or on the street, tell the shelter staff that directly — they understand homelessness and will not judge you.
Bring documents for your children if you have them: birth certificates, school records, or vaccination records if you have them. Shelters do not always require these on the first night, but they will ask for them within a few days so they can enroll your children in school or connect them to services.
If you have a pet, ask the shelter whether it accepts animals before you arrive. Some do; many do not. If the shelter cannot take your pet, ask whether they know of a pet-friendly shelter or a temporary foster program in your area.
How long you can stay and what happens when your time is up
Most family shelters allow you to stay for 30 to 90 days. Some cities offer longer stays — up to six months — if you are working with a case manager on a housing plan. A few cities have no time limit for families with young children. Call your local shelter to ask what their policy is.
While you are in the shelter, a case manager (if the shelter provides one) will help you search for permanent housing, explore for rental information, or connect to other services like job training or mental health care. This is the most valuable part of staying in a shelter: you have someone whose job is to help you move out.
When your time is up, the shelter will not put you back on the street without warning. They will tell you weeks in advance and ask you where you plan to go. If you have not found housing, ask your case manager about extensions, transitional housing programs, or other shelters in your area. Some cities have a "no wrong door" policy, meaning you can go to any shelter or housing office and they will help you find the next step.
Shelters that accept families versus shelters that do not
Family shelters are designed for adults with children under 18. They usually have separate sleeping areas for families, common kitchens or dining areas, and staff trained to work with children. Some allow fathers or male guardians; some do not. Ask when you call.
Shelters that do not accept families usually have rules that exclude children or that separate men and women into different buildings. If you call a general shelter by mistake, they will tell you and give you the number for a family shelter instead. Do not assume a shelter will not take you — always call and ask.
Some cities also have domestic violence shelters, which accept families fleeing abuse. These shelters have security measures and confidentiality rules that other shelters do not. If you are fleeing abuse, tell the person who answers the phone — they will connect you to a domestic violence shelter and may be able to help you with safety planning.
What happens if the shelter is full or if you cannot stay there
If the family shelter is full, the city or county is usually required to find you another bed — either in a different shelter, a motel voucher, or a temporary placement in a hotel. This is called "no wrong door" or "right to shelter" in some cities. Call 211 or your housing authority and tell them the first shelter is full; they will find you another option.
If you cannot stay in a particular shelter because of its rules — for example, if it does not allow teenagers, or if it requires you to leave during the day and you have a newborn — tell the staff that when you call. They may be able to place you in a different shelter or arrange a motel voucher instead. Shelters understand that families have different needs.
If you have a disability or a medical condition that makes shelter life difficult, tell the shelter staff. They may be able to provide a private room, a ground-floor bed, or a referral to a different program. Many cities have specialized shelters for people with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
How to move from emergency shelter to permanent housing
The shelter's case manager is your main resource here. They know which landlords in your area accept people coming from shelters, which rental information programs are currently open, and how to speed up the process. Meet with them regularly and tell them what you are looking for — neighborhood, school district, number of bedrooms, pet-friendly, accessible for a disability.
While you are in the shelter, you can also explore for rental information through your city or county. Many programs prioritize people in shelters because they are in crisis. Bring your lease (if you find one) and proof of income or proof that you have no income. The program will usually contact your landlord directly and pay them, so you do not have to worry about the money changing hands.
Some cities also have "rapid rehousing" programs that combine a rental subsidy with case management. These programs help you find an apartment, pay the security deposit and first month's rent, and then give you a subsidy for 6 to 12 months while you stabilize. Ask your case manager whether your city has a rapid rehousing program and whether you are a good fit for it.
Rules and expectations while you are in the shelter
Most shelters have rules about curfew, overnight guests, alcohol and drugs, and behavior. These rules exist to keep everyone safe and to maintain the shelter as a place where families can sleep and eat. Common rules include: be back by 9 or 10 p.m., do not bring weapons or drugs, do not use alcohol on the premises, and treat staff and other residents with respect.
Some shelters require you to leave during the day — usually between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. — so staff can clean and so the shelter does not become a daytime hangout. If you have a young child or a disability that makes this difficult, tell the shelter when you arrive. Many will make exceptions or provide a quiet space where you can stay.
If you break a shelter rule, staff will usually give you a warning first. If you break it again, they may ask you to leave. If you are asked to leave, ask for a written reason and ask whether you can go to a different shelter. You have the right to know why you are being discharged, and you have the right to appeal in some cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stay in a shelter if I have a job?
Yes. Most shelters do not require you to be unemployed. In fact, many shelters encourage you to work or look for work while you stay there. Some shelters have flexible schedules so you can leave early for work and come back after your shift. Tell the shelter staff about your work schedule when you arrive.
What if I have a teenager or a young adult over 18?
Family shelters usually accept children up to age 18. If you have a teenager, they can usually stay with you. If you have an adult child (18 or older), they may not be allowed in a family shelter. Ask the shelter staff — some make exceptions, and some can refer your adult child to a separate shelter for single adults.
Do I have to stay in a shelter, or can I get money to find my own place?
You do not have to stay in a shelter. You can ask for rental information instead, which pays a landlord directly so you can move into an apartment. However, rental information programs often have waiting lists and take weeks to process. A shelter gets you a bed tonight, and a case manager can help you explore for rental information while you are there.
What if I have a criminal record or an eviction on my record?
A shelter will not turn you away because of your criminal record or past eviction. Shelters are for people in crisis, and your history does not disqualify you. However, some landlords will not rent to you because of these records. Your case manager can help you find landlords who are willing to work with people in your situation and can advocate for you.
Can I bring my belongings into the shelter?
Yes, but space is limited. Most shelters have lockers or storage areas where you can keep your belongings. Bring what you need for a few days — clothes, toiletries, medications, important documents. Leave valuable items at home or with a trusted friend if possible. Ask the shelter about their storage policy when you arrive.