Homeless Shelters in Atlanta: Where to Go, What to Expect, and How to Get Help

Finding safe shelter in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially in a crisis. The good news is that the city has a network of emergency homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, and support services that can help you get off the street and connected with longer-term resources.

This guide focuses specifically on homeless shelters in Atlanta, Georgia—how they work, where to start, and what to know before you go.

First Steps If You Need Shelter in Atlanta

If you or someone you know needs a place to stay tonight in Atlanta, start with these core options:

• Call 2-1-1 (United Way of Greater Atlanta) – for referrals to open shelters and services
• Visit a major downtown shelter – many are walk-up or have same-day intake
• Contact the City/County coordinated entry providers – for emergency and longer-term housing help

United Way 2-1-1: Your Central Information Line

United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1 Helpline

• Dial: 2-1-1 (from most phones in the Atlanta area)
• Alternate: (404) 614-1000 (if 2-1-1 doesn’t connect)
• Services: Shelter referrals, food, utility help, crisis lines, support programs

2-1-1 is one of the best starting points if you are unsure which Atlanta shelter has space. Staff can usually:

• Check which shelters are taking intakes
• Explain eligibility (men, women, families, youth, veterans, etc.)
• Share intake times and locations
• Suggest nearby transportation options

Types of Homeless Shelters in Atlanta

Different shelters in Atlanta serve different groups. Knowing where you fit can save time and confusion.

1. Emergency Overnight Shelters

These are for people who need a safe place to sleep tonight.

Common features in Atlanta emergency shelters:

• Same-day or walk-up intake (often afternoon or evening)
• Nightly curfew and wake-up times
• Shared sleeping areas or dorm-style rooms
• Basic services like showers, restrooms, possibly meals

You’ll often need to:

• Arrive early (lines can form well before intake time)
• Bring a small amount of belongings only
• Follow house rules (no drugs, alcohol, weapons, and respectful behavior)

2. Family and Domestic Violence Shelters

Some Atlanta shelters focus on:

• Families with children
• Single parents
• People escaping domestic violence or abuse

Domestic violence shelters usually:

• Keep locations partially confidential for safety
• Offer case management, counseling, and safety planning
• May have separate housing for survivors and children

If you are fleeing abuse, you can call:

• Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline:1-800-334-2836
• Or dial 9-1-1 in immediate danger

They can help connect you to Atlanta-area confidential shelters rather than general population shelters.

3. Transitional and Program-Based Shelters

These are more like short- to medium-term housing programs (often 3–24 months), not just overnight stays.

Atlanta transitional programs may offer:

• Structured case management
• Job readiness and employment help
• Support with IDs, benefits, and healthcare
• Requirements to attend classes, maintain sobriety, or work toward goals

You often need a referral or application—2-1-1 or a case manager at an emergency shelter can help start this process.

4. Youth and Young Adult Shelters

These serve teens and young adults, often with tailored support.

Typical age ranges: often 18–24, sometimes younger in specific programs.

Services may include:

• Emergency beds
• Transitional living programs
• School/work support
• Life skills training

If you’re a young person on your own in Atlanta, make sure you ask specifically for youth or young adult programs when you call 2-1-1.

Key Atlanta Homeless Shelter Resources and Hubs

Below is a summary-style table of major shelter-related resources commonly used in the Atlanta area. Availability, policies, and services can change, so always call first or verify through 2-1-1.

Because programs open, close, or move, it’s best to confirm current addresses, hours, and eligibility through United Way 2-1-1 or directly with programs when possible.

How to Access Shelter in Atlanta: What to Expect

Coordinated Entry and Assessments

Atlanta, like many cities, uses a “coordinated entry” approach for many housing and shelter programs. That means:

• You may be asked to complete an intake or assessment
• Staff will ask about your current situation, health needs, family size, and safety concerns
• You might be prioritized for certain programs based on vulnerability and need

You can usually start this process:

• Through emergency shelters
• Through street outreach teams
• By asking for coordinated entry when calling 2-1-1

Typical Shelter Rules in Atlanta

Most Atlanta shelters have similar basic expectations:

• No drugs or alcohol on-site
• No weapons
• Curfew: arrive and check in by a set time
• Quiet hours during the night
• Respectful behavior toward staff and guests

Some programs may:

• Require ID (though many will still work with you if you don’t have one yet)
• Be single-gender (men-only or women-only)
• Have specific age limits or target populations (like veterans, youth, or families)

If you’re not sure you qualify, it’s worth calling anyway; staff can often refer you to a more suitable option.

What to Bring (and What Not to)

Most Atlanta shelters have limited space. In general:

Helpful to bring:

• A photo ID, if you have one
• Any important documents (kept in a small, secure folder)
• Medications in original containers
• Basic personal items (small bag of clothes, hygiene products if you have them)

Usually not allowed:

• Weapons, drugs, alcohol
• Large suitcases or multiple big bags
• Pets (unless it’s a service animal, which is usually protected)

If you have more belongings than you can carry, ask staff or outreach workers for suggestions—some programs can help with storage or solutions.

Help for Specific Groups in Atlanta

Families with Children

Atlanta has programs specifically for:

• Two-parent families
• Single mothers
• Single fathers
• Pregnant individuals

If you have children:

• When you call 2-1-1, clearly say “We’re a family with children and need shelter.”
• Ask about family shelters or hotel/motel voucher programs, if available.

Some family shelters may offer:

• Shared family rooms or small units
• Child-focused services and school enrollment help
• Transportation to schools within Atlanta-area districts

Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

If you’re a veteran living in Atlanta, you may have additional shelter and housing options:

• VA emergency shelter and transitional programs
• Rapid rehousing or HUD-VASH vouchers (housing assistance with support)
• Veteran-focused case management

Helpful contacts:

• Atlanta VA Medical Center (Decatur)
  – Main line: (404) 321-6111
  – Ask for Homeless or HUD-VASH services

You can also mention your veteran status when calling 2-1-1 so they can filter for veteran-specific options.

Youth, Young Adults, and Students

Young people in Atlanta without stable housing often have different needs and risks. If you are under 25, ask 2-1-1 for:

• Youth emergency shelter beds
• Transitional living programs for young adults
• School- or college-based support, if you’re enrolled

If you are in high school or college in Atlanta and experiencing homelessness:

• Many schools have a McKinney-Vento liaison or housing support office
• You may be able to get help with transportation, supplies, and staying in school while you stabilize housing

Daytime Services and Drop-In Options

Even if you have nowhere to sleep yet, day centers and resource hubs across Atlanta can provide:

• Showers and restrooms
• Laundry (in some locations)
• Meals or snacks
• Mail service (a mailing address can be critical for IDs and benefits)
• Case management and referrals
• Help with documents, benefits applications, and job searches

When you call 2-1-1, ask:

• “Where can I shower or do laundry today?”
• “Where can I get mail if I don’t have an address?”
• “Are there any day centers or resource centers near downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or my area?”

Transportation Tips for Getting to Shelters in Atlanta

Atlanta’s main public transit system, MARTA, can be useful for reaching shelters and service centers.

• MARTA Rail: North-South and East-West lines through downtown; many shelters and services are near downtown rail stations
• MARTA Buses: Connect neighborhoods outside the rail lines directly to downtown and other hubs

If you’re trying to reach a shelter:

• Ask staff when you call for nearest MARTA station or bus route
• Check if any bus passes or tokens are available through day centers, some shelters, or outreach workers
• If walking downtown, be aware that many services are clustered near central Atlanta and government buildings

Safety and Health Considerations

Shelters are meant to increase safety and stability, but conditions and experiences can vary.

Some practical tips:

• If you ever feel unsafe or threatened, tell shelter staff or security right away
• Keep your important documents and medications with you, not out in the open
• If you have major medical needs, let intake staff know; they may be able to adjust placement or connect you to Atlanta-area clinics or hospitals
• If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1

For non-emergency health needs, 2-1-1 can also point you toward low-cost or free clinics in Atlanta that understand homelessness.

How People Move From Shelter to Stable Housing in Atlanta

Shelters in Atlanta are often first steps, not final solutions. Over time, staff may help you:

• Apply for rapid rehousing or rental assistance programs
• Seek permanent supportive housing if you have disabilities or long-term needs
• Reconnect with family or support networks, if safe and appropriate
• Build income through job training, job search help, or benefits enrollment

What helps most:

• Staying in touch with your case manager
• Coming to appointments and check-ins as much as possible
• Asking about waiting lists for housing and how to stay on them
• Letting staff know if your phone number or contact info changes

If You’re Helping Someone Else in Atlanta

If you’re a friend, family member, business owner, or visitor trying to help someone who appears to be unhoused in Atlanta:

• Offer the 2-1-1 number and, if possible, a phone they can use
• If they’re open to it, provide basic items: water, snacks, socks, hygiene supplies
• Avoid making promises you can’t keep; instead, focus on connecting them to existing resources
• If someone seems in immediate danger or medical crisis, call 9-1-1

You can also:

• Ask 2-1-1 what outreach teams or local nonprofits operate in the specific Atlanta neighborhood you’re concerned about
• Encourage them to visit a day center or shelter intake, explaining that it can be a safer place to rest and access help

Quick Action Checklist for Shelter in Atlanta

✅ Need a place to stay tonight?

• Call 2-1-1 or (404) 614-1000
• Ask: “What emergency shelters have space near me in Atlanta?”
• Get intake times, address, and transit directions

✅ Have children, are pregnant, or caring for a family member?

• Tell 2-1-1: “We are a family with children”
• Ask specifically for family shelters or programs that accept kids

✅ Escaping abuse or not safe at home?

• Call 1-800-334-2836 (Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline) or 9-1-1
• Ask for confidential domestic violence shelter options in the Atlanta area

✅ A veteran, youth, or person with serious health needs?

• Mention this clearly when you call 2-1-1
• Ask for veteran, youth, or medical-need-friendly programs

Homeless shelters in Atlanta are only part of the larger support system, but they can provide immediate safety, basic needs, and a pathway toward more stable housing. Starting with 2-1-1, asking questions, and staying connected with caseworkers will give you the best chance to move from crisis shelter to something more secure in Atlanta.