Safe Houses in Atlanta: How to Find Emergency Shelter and Protection

When people in Atlanta search for a “safe house,” they’re usually looking for one of two things:

1. Emergency safety from violence or danger (domestic violence, trafficking, stalking, etc.)
2. Short-term safe housing or shelter in a crisis (loss of housing, unsafe living situation, emergencies)

This guide explains how safe houses and emergency shelters work in Atlanta, who they serve, how to reach them, and what to expect when you ask for help.

What “Safe House” Usually Means in Atlanta

In everyday Atlanta usage, a “safe house” can refer to:

• Domestic violence shelters
• Family violence shelters
• Human trafficking safe homes
• Confidential emergency housing for people fleeing danger
• Short‑term emergency shelters for people with nowhere safe to stay

Most of these locations are confidential for safety reasons. You usually do not go directly to the address; instead you:

1. Call a hotline or crisis line
2. Talk through your situation
3. Get screened and placed in a safe house or shelter if space is available

If You Are in Immediate Danger in Atlanta

If you are in or near Atlanta and face an urgent threat:

• Call 911 for any life‑threatening emergency.
• If you cannot safely speak, try to leave the line open so dispatchers can hear what’s happening, and follow instructions if your local 911 supports silent options.

For non‑911 but urgent safety concerns, you can contact:

• Atlanta Police Department – Non-Emergency Line: 404‑658‑6666
• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (Atlanta area): 404‑612‑5100

Once you are safe or have a moment to plan, the next step is usually contacting a crisis hotline that can connect you to a safe house or shelter.

Domestic Violence Safe Houses in Atlanta

Many people searching “safe house in Atlanta” are trying to escape intimate partner violence, family violence, or stalking.

Key Domestic Violence Help Lines Serving Atlanta

These services can help connect you to a confidential safe house:

• Georgia Domestic Violence 24‑Hour Hotline

  • Phone: 1‑800‑33‑HAVEN (1‑800‑334‑2836)
  • Serves Atlanta and all of Georgia
  • Can connect you with nearby shelters, safety planning, and legal resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

  • Phone: 1‑800‑799‑SAFE (1‑800‑799‑7233)
  • 24/7; can connect you to Atlanta‑area providers

• Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) – Metro Atlanta

  • 24‑Hour Crisis Line: 404‑873‑1766
  • Operates confidential shelters for survivors in the metro area
  • Offers safety planning, shelter placement, and support services

Because shelter addresses are kept secret, you will not find a public list of “domestic violence safe house addresses” in Atlanta. Instead, the hotline staff will:

• Ask some screening questions (age, children, immediate safety, medical needs)
• Check for available beds at nearby safe houses
• Help you plan how to leave safely and get to the safe house

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Safe Homes

Atlanta is a regional hub, and there are specialized safe homes for survivors of sex or labor trafficking, especially youth and young adults.

If you suspect trafficking or exploitation:

• National Human Trafficking Hotline
  • Phone: 1‑888‑373‑7888
  • Text: “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733
  • Can connect you to Atlanta‑area safe homes and local advocates

In Atlanta, there are organizations that operate confidential residential programs for trafficking survivors. These facilities often provide:

• Secure housing (locations are undisclosed)
• Case management and legal advocacy
• Medical and counseling referrals
• Long‑term recovery support

Because these addresses are highly protected, you must work through a referral line or hotline to be placed.

General Emergency Shelters and Short‑Term Housing

If your concern is homelessness, unsafe housing, or a sudden crisis—not necessarily abuse or trafficking—you can still find safe shelter options in Atlanta.

Central Gateway for Homeless Services

Gateway Center (near downtown) is a major entry point for adults experiencing homelessness:

• Gateway Center
  • Address: 275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404‑215‑6600
  • Helps connect people to shelter beds, transitional housing, and services

They often coordinate with other Atlanta shelters and programs, especially for single adults.

City of Atlanta & Fulton County Resources

• Atlanta Continuum of Care / Coordinated Entry
  Many shelters now use “coordinated entry,” meaning you complete one intake and are matched to available beds or programs across providers.

  • To access, call a local shelter or outreach office (like Gateway Center) and ask about coordinated entry.

• Fulton County Homeless Services

  • Fulton County Government Center
  • 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • General info line: 404‑612‑4000 (ask for homeless services or housing assistance)

These offices can help you find safe, short‑term shelter or connect you to local nonprofits.

Women, Families, and Youth: Specialized Safe Shelter

Many Atlanta shelters are population‑specific. When you call for help, be ready to say who needs shelter (for example: single woman, woman with children, unaccompanied youth, etc.), as this affects where you may be placed.

Women and Children Fleeing Domestic Violence

Domestic violence safe houses often prioritize women and children. Through hotlines like:

• Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline: 1‑800‑33‑HAVEN
• PADV Crisis Line: 404‑873‑1766

you may be placed in a family violence shelter that can accommodate:

• Mothers with children
• Pregnant women
• Occasionally other family configurations, depending on space and policies

Youth and Young Adults

Younger people in Atlanta may have access to youth‑specific shelters or transitional housing. These programs typically offer:

• Short‑term safe beds
• Case management and education/employment support
• Help reconnecting safely with family or finding long‑term housing

For youth, it can help to start with:

• A local 24‑hour crisis line (if you know one), or
• A general homeless services intake like Gateway Center or a local youth-serving nonprofit

If you are under 18, be prepared that staff may need to follow Georgia laws regarding minors, which can influence how and where you are sheltered.

How Safe Houses in Atlanta Usually Operate

Although each organization is different, most safe houses and shelters in Atlanta share some common features:

1. Confidential Locations

• Domestic violence and trafficking safe houses are usually at undisclosed addresses.
• You’re often given transport instructions or picked up at a neutral location (police station, hospital, agency office, or agreed public place).

2. Intake and Eligibility

When you call a hotline or shelter:

• You’ll answer basic questions about:
  • What danger you’re facing
  • Who is with you (children, partner, pets)
  • Any urgent medical or accessibility needs
• Staff check whether you fit their program (for example, adult women only, families, youth, etc.) and whether beds are open.
• If they’re full, they may refer you to another Atlanta‑area safe house or shelter.

3. Length of Stay

Safe houses in Atlanta generally fall into three categories:

*Actual time frames vary by program, funding, and your situation.

4. Services You May Receive

Many Atlanta safe houses provide more than just a bed. Depending on the program, you may have access to:

• Safety planning and crisis counseling
• Case management (help with documents, benefits, and next steps)
• Legal advocacy (protective orders, custody, immigration referrals)
• Referrals to medical and mental health services
• Support groups or life‑skills workshops
• Assistance with finding long‑term housing

Because every organization is different, ask the hotline or intake worker what services are available at the specific safe house you might enter.

Legal Protection and Courts in Atlanta

Safe housing is often connected with legal protections, especially in domestic violence or stalking cases.

Key Courthouse Locations Around Atlanta

If you are seeking a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) or other civil protection:

• Fulton County Superior Court – Family Division (Downtown Atlanta)

  • Address: 136 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: 404‑612‑4000 (ask for information on protective orders)

• DeKalb County Superior Court (if you live on the east side or in DeKalb)

  • Address: 556 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
  • Main line: 404‑371‑2836

Advocates from Atlanta domestic violence programs often meet survivors at these courthouses to:

• Explain forms and processes
• Provide emotional support at hearings
• Help coordinate safe housing after court if needed

If you contact a hotline like 1‑800‑33‑HAVEN or 404‑873‑1766, you can ask specifically for court advocacy and shelter support in the Atlanta area.

Safety Planning Before You Go to a Safe House

Even in a crisis, a bit of planning can increase your safety when leaving for a safe house or shelter in Atlanta.

If You Have a Little Time to Prepare

Consider gathering:

• Personal documents (ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards if available)
• Medications and prescriptions
• Important phone numbers (written down in case you lose your phone)
• Small amount of cash if possible
• Keys (home, car, mailbox)

If it is not safe to gather these, do not risk your safety; most shelters will work with what you have.

Discretion and Technology

To reduce risk if someone might monitor you:

• 🚫 Avoid searching “safe house Atlanta” on shared or monitored devices if it feels unsafe.
• Clear your browser history and recent calls if it will not raise suspicion.
• Ask hotlines about safe contact methods (text vs phone, call backs, etc.).

Hotline staff in Atlanta are used to working around dangerous and controlling situations and can help you think through the safest approach.

What to Expect When Staying in a Safe House

Atlanta safe houses are typically communal living environments with rules to keep everyone safe.

Common expectations include:

• No sharing of the address or residents’ identities
• Curfew hours and sign‑in/out procedures
• Limits on visitors (often none, at least at first)
• Rules about substances, weapons, and aggressive behavior
• Participation in meetings or check‑ins with staff

If you have disabilities, chronic health needs, or mobility limitations, tell the hotline or intake worker. Some Atlanta facilities are more accessible than others, and staff may prioritize a placement that fits your needs.

How to Start if You’re Not Sure Which Safe House You Need

If you’re in Atlanta and unsure where to begin, a good order of steps is:

1. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
2. For abuse, violence, or stalking concerns:
   • Call the Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline: 1‑800‑33‑HAVEN
   • Or PADV Crisis Line: 404‑873‑1766
3. For trafficking concerns:
   • Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1‑888‑373‑7888
4. For general homelessness or unsafe housing (not necessarily abuse):
   • Contact Gateway Center: 404‑215‑6600 or
   • Call Fulton County (404‑612‑4000) and ask about homeless services or coordinated entry.

You do not need to know the exact name or address of a “safe house in Atlanta” before reaching out. Crisis lines and intake staff will:

• Listen to your situation
• Help you figure out what type of safe housing fits your needs
• Connect you, when possible, to a confidential, appropriate shelter or safe house in or near Atlanta

Once you make that first call, you’ll usually get clear next steps, whether that’s immediate transport to a safe location, a meeting point, or a plan for the coming hours or days.