Women's Shelters: Safe Shelter Options for Women and Children

If you need shelter tonight, you don't have to read first — search shelters near you or call 211 or use your local 211 service.

Women's shelters, family shelters, and domestic-violence shelters are not always the same. A general women's shelter may serve adults experiencing homelessness, while a domestic-violence shelter may use a confidential location and specialized safety procedures.

Search locally and call before traveling. If abuse or stalking is involved, contact a domestic-violence service rather than relying on an address found online.

Domestic-violence support: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text START to 88788, or use live chat through the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 911 for immediate danger.

General women's shelters

A general women's shelter may provide overnight accommodation for adult women experiencing homelessness. Depending on the program, it may offer:

• meals and hygiene facilities;
• storage or lockers;
• case management;
• employment or benefits referrals;
• health and behavioral-health referrals; and
• help connecting with longer-term housing.

Some programs serve women only. Others serve women with children or operate as family shelters.

Family shelters for women and children

A parent seeking shelter with children should ask whether the program can keep the household together. Intake rules may depend on:

• children's ages;
• family composition;
• custody or guardianship documentation;
• space currently available;
• accessibility needs; and
• whether another family-shelter system handles referrals.

Do not assume that a shelter serving women also accepts children.

Domestic-violence shelters

Domestic-violence shelters are designed for people fleeing or affected by abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. They may provide confidential shelter, safety planning, advocacy, counseling, legal referrals, and help connecting with community resources.

Many do not publish a street address. A directory should display these programs as hotline or service-area listings unless the organization itself publicly advertises a location and that fact has been verified.

Do not travel to a suspected confidential address. Contact the provider first.

Questions to ask before traveling

• Do you serve single women, women with children, or both?
• Do you accept direct intake?
• Is a referral required?
• Are you accepting new guests today?
• What identification is requested?
• Can my children remain with me?
• What belongings may I bring?
• Do you accommodate disabilities and service animals?
• Is transportation assistance available?
• Is the location confidential?

Explain any urgent safety concern at the beginning of the call.

What if the shelter is full?

Ask about:

• overflow or motel-placement programs;
• other women's or family shelters;
• domestic-violence programs, if relevant;
• low-barrier or general emergency shelters;
• day centers and street outreach; and
• the next intake time.

Call 211 or the local homelessness access point for additional referrals. Neither a hotline nor a directory can guarantee a bed.

Safety when using the internet

If an abusive person may monitor your phone or browser, consider using a safer device. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides digital-safety information and a quick-exit feature. Internet use may leave traces that cannot be fully erased.

After emergency shelter

Shelter staff or advocates may help with identification, benefits, school continuity, health care, legal referrals, employment, and housing applications. Rental assistance and voucher rules are separate topics and vary by program.

Find local options

Use the directory to identify nearby women's and family shelters. Confidential domestic-violence programs should appear without a private street address. Call before traveling and confirm current intake.

Sources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Get Help
• HUD: Violence Against Women Act Housing Protections
• 211

*Information reviewed for accuracy in June 2026. Local eligibility, shelter availability, and intake rules vary.*