Shelters in Atlanta, GA: Where to Turn When You Need a Safe Place

Finding shelters in Atlanta, GA can feel overwhelming, especially if you need help quickly. Atlanta has a wide network of resources, but they are spread across different agencies and neighborhoods. This guide walks through the main types of shelters, key locations, and how to get help fast if you’re in or near the city.

Main Types of Shelters in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta talk about “shelters,” they usually mean one of a few types of places:

• Emergency homeless shelters – short-term, often overnight or 30–90 days
• Domestic violence & family violence shelters – confidential locations for safety from abuse
• Youth & young adult shelters – for teens and young adults experiencing homelessness
• Family shelters – for adults with children
• Warming/cooling centers & inclement weather shelters – open during extreme heat or cold

Knowing which kind of help you need will make it easier to find the right place to call or visit.

Important City & County Contacts for Shelter Help

If you are in Atlanta and unsure where to start, these are key “first call” resources that often know who has space and what requirements apply.

City of Atlanta & Fulton County

Gateway Center / Homeless Services Access Point
A major entry point for many adult shelters in downtown Atlanta.

• Address: 275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main phone: (404) 215-6600
• Focus: Adults experiencing homelessness (men and women), assessments, referrals, limited beds, and connection to other shelters.

United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1

• Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in metro Atlanta
• Alternate: (404) 614-1000
• You can ask for:
  • Emergency shelter openings
  • Domestic violence shelters
  • Family shelters
  • Food, clothing, and other support
• Also useful if you need help in DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, or Gwinnett but are close to Atlanta.

Fulton County Department of Community Development

• Main line: (404) 613-7944
• Focus: Housing and homeless services programs in Fulton County, including Atlanta and some surrounding communities.

Emergency Homeless Shelters in Atlanta

These shelters typically provide short-term, emergency stays and may have rules about intake times, sobriety, and documentation. Calling ahead is almost always necessary.

Major Adult & Men’s Shelters

Atlanta Mission – The Shepherd’s Inn (Men)

• Address: 165 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Phone: (404) 588-4000
• Focus: Emergency shelter for men, meals, and case management. Often an entry point into longer-term programs.

Salvation Army – Red Shield Services (Men, Some Families)

• Address: 400 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Phone: (404) 486-2700
• Services:
  • Emergency shelter beds
  • Meals and basic needs
  • Some transitional housing options
• Often near capacity; calling first is strongly recommended.

Women & Family-Focused Shelters

Atlanta Mission – My Sister’s House (Women & Children)

• Address: 921 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Phone: (404) 588-4000
• Focus: Women and mothers with children needing emergency shelter and support. Often uses a central intake through Atlanta Mission’s main number.

City of Refuge

• Address: 1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30314
• Phone: (404) 874-2241
• Services:
  • Shelter and transitional housing for women and children
  • Supportive programs (job training, life skills)
• Often requires an intake process, not pure drop-in.

Domestic Violence & Family Violence Shelters in Atlanta

Domestic violence shelters generally offer confidential locations with enhanced security. They rarely accept walk-ins at the shelter address; you usually start with a hotline call.

Key Hotlines for Atlanta

• Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline (statewide): 1-800-334-2836
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
  • Both can connect you to Atlanta-area domestic violence shelters, safety planning, and transportation options.

Atlanta-Area Domestic Violence Resources

Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV)

• 24-hour crisis line: (404) 873-1766
• Serves metro Atlanta, including the city and nearby counties.
• Offers:
  • Emergency shelter in secure, undisclosed locations
  • Support for survivors and their children
  • Legal and advocacy referrals

YWCA of Greater Atlanta – Domestic Violence Services

• Main line: (404) 892-3476 (office)
• Focus: Domestic violence support, emergency shelter, and counseling. Actual shelter locations are confidential for safety.

If you are in immediate danger in Atlanta, call 9-1-1 and clearly state if there are weapons, injuries, or children involved so responders can prioritize.

Youth & Young Adult Shelters in Atlanta

Atlanta has several resources dedicated to youth and young adults who are homeless, at risk, or need to leave unsafe situations.

Covenant House Georgia (Ages ~18–24, Youth-Focused)

• Address: 1559 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Phone: (404) 937-6957
• Services:
  • Emergency shelter and transitional housing for youth and young adults
  • Support with school, work, and life skills
• Youth-specific rules; call ahead for intake requirements.

Chris 180 & Summit Trail (youth services; residential options are scattered)

• Main office: 1030 Fayetteville Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
• Phone: (404) 486-9034
• Focus: Support for youth and families; some housing options for young people experiencing homelessness or instability.

If you’re under 18 and cannot safely stay at home in Atlanta, you can:

• Call 2-1-1 and ask for youth shelter options
• Contact school counselors or social workers (APS and surrounding districts often know local youth programs)
• Ask for help at a hospital emergency department or police precinct if you’re in urgent danger

Family Shelters and Support for Parents With Children

Many family shelters in Atlanta are part of larger programs that combine housing with case management, so the path in is often through an intake process rather than a simple overnight check-in.

Our House (formerly Genesis Shelter)

• Administrative office: 173 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Phone: (404) 522-6056
• Focus: Families with young children, including emergency shelter and early childhood education.

Nicholas House

• Administrative office: 1630 Druid Hills Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Phone: (404) 622-0793
• Services:
  • Shelter and transitional housing for families with minor children
  • Case management and housing assistance
• Typically requires a phone screening and intake appointment.

Step-by-step if you’re a parent in Atlanta needing shelter:

1. ☎️ Call 2-1-1 and ask specifically for family shelters.
2. Ask which programs work with your family size, ages of children, and any special needs.
3. Call recommended shelters directly to ask:
   • If they have space
   • What documents you need (ID, birth certificates, etc.)
4. If all options are full, ask about hotel/motel vouchers, rapid rehousing, or diversion programs that may help keep you and your children safe short-term.

Warming Centers, Cooling Centers & Weather-Related Shelters

Atlanta occasionally opens temporary shelters during:

• Extreme cold (winter)
• Extreme heat (summer)
• Major storms or emergencies

These are usually:

• City-operated warming/cooling centers
• Recreation centers or public buildings opened during emergencies

Where to Check for Weather Shelters in Atlanta

• City of Atlanta Office of Emergency Preparedness
  • Main line (via Mayor’s Office or 3-1-1): Dial 3-1-1 inside city limits or (404) 546-0311
• Fulton County Emergency Services / Emergency Management
  • Main line: (404) 612-4000 (County main switchboard; ask for Emergency Management)

When severe weather is expected, local media, city social media accounts, and 2-1-1 often share addresses, opening times, and transportation details for these short-term shelters.

Animal Shelters in Atlanta (If You Meant Pet Shelters)

Many people searching “shelters in Atlanta GA” are also looking for animal shelters for lost, stray, or adoptable pets.

Government & Major Animal Shelters

Fulton County Animal Services

• Address: 1251 Fulton Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30336
• Phone: (404) 613-0358
• Handles stray and lost pets primarily in Fulton County, including much of Atlanta.

LifeLine Animal Project – DeKalb County Animal Services

• Address: 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Phone: (404) 294-2996
• Serves DeKalb County; useful if you’re on Atlanta’s east side.

Atlanta Humane Society

• Main Atlanta location: 1551 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Phone: (404) 875-5331
• Focus: Pet adoptions, some lost-and-found support, and pet resources.

If you are experiencing homelessness and have a pet, ask any human shelter you speak with if they:

• Allow pets
• Work with any foster or boarding programs for pets
• Can refer you to low-cost boarding options

Policies in Atlanta vary widely, and some shelters have partner programs to help keep pets and owners connected.

Quick-Glance Guide: Who to Call for Which Shelter Need

Practical Tips for Using Shelters in Atlanta

A few points that often matter once you start calling around:

• Call as early as possible in the day. Many Atlanta shelters fill up by afternoon or early evening.
• Ask about intake times. Some have a specific window (for example, 3–6 p.m.) and you may be turned away if you arrive too late.
• Bring any ID you have. If you don’t have ID, say so on the phone; some shelters can work with you or connect you to agencies that help replace documents.
• Ask about transportation. If you’re far from downtown or don’t have MARTA fare, ask whether they partner with any transport programs or if there are bus routes nearby.
• Ask about length of stay and next steps. Knowing whether it’s an overnight bed or a 30–90 day program helps you plan and request case management, job help, or housing assistance.

For anyone living in, visiting, or newly arriving in Atlanta, GA, the shelter network can seem complex, but most paths start with 2-1-1, Gateway Center, or the appropriate crisis hotline. From there, you can be directed to the shelter that best fits your situation and location in the metro area.