Houston, TX offers a range of emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and hotel voucher initiatives to support homeless individuals and families. Key providers include the City of Houston’s Homeless Services, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local nonprofits like Houston Homeless Hotel, which provide short-term vouchers and transitional housing.
Immediate Emergency Shelters for Homeless Houston, TX
If you need a bed tonight, these organizations provide immediate shelter:
The Salvation Army of Houston
The Salvation Army of Houston operates several primary shelters tailored to specific needs, including facilities for single men, women, families with children, and veterans.
1. Center of Hope (Single Men & Veterans)
Located in downtown Houston, this facility provides both emergency and transitional housing.
Address: 1717 Congress Ave, Houston, TX 77002.
Phone: (713) 223-8889.
Services: Offers 24/7 safe refuge and meals. In 2019, it served nearly 400 men in emergency shelter and provided transitional beds for 52 veterans.
Sally’s House (Women): Located at the same address, this is a transitional shelter specifically for single women who have completed a detoxification program.
2. Family Residence (Women & Children)
This location focuses on creating a safe environment for women and families to transition back into the community.
Address: 1603 McGowen St, Houston, TX 77004.
Phone: (713) 650-6530.
Eligibility: Open to single women, legally married couples with children, and single women with children.
Services: Includes childcare, job placement, substance abuse counseling, and 12 months of follow-up case management after permanent housing is secured.
3. Harbor Light Center (Single Men)
A “men-only” emergency shelter facility.
Address: 2407 North Main, Houston, TX 77009.
Phone: (713) 224-2875.
4. Wayne Bergstrom Center of Hope (Conroe Area)
Serves individuals and families in the Conroe/Montgomery County area.
Address: 301 Avenue E, Conroe, TX 77301.
Phone: (936) 760-2440.
Services: Provides 72 beds, including family rooms and dorms for men and women, along with medical care and housing assessments.
Accessing Shelter Services
Intake: For the Family Residence, intake is conducted daily until 8:00 PM, though it is recommended to call ahead to check for available space.
Warming Centers: During extreme weather, these shelters often expand capacity or coordinate with 311 for transportation to emergency warming centers.
Star of Hope Mission
Star of Hope Mission operates separate, specialized facilities for men, women, and families in Houston. Their services range from immediate emergency shelter to long-term transformational programs.
1. Men’s Development Center (Doris and Carloss Morris)
This facility provides 24/7 shelter for adult men (minimum age 19).
Address: 1811 Ruiz St, Houston, TX 77002.
Phone: (713) 226-5414.
Intake: Walk-ins are accepted Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Admittance is based on availability (first-come, first-served).
Services: Provides a bed, hot meals, showers, and clothing. Men can stay for one night or join multi-month recovery and workforce development programs.
2. Women and Family Development Center (Cornerstone Community®)
This campus centralizes services for single women, single mothers with children, and single fathers with children.
Address: 2575 Reed Rd, Houston, TX 77051.
Phone: (713) 222-2220.
Intake: Interested individuals must visit in person Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM.
Services: Includes private and shared rooms, meals, a medical clinic, licensed daycare, and teen activity programs. Long-term residents can pursue independence through a 12–18 month program.
Covenant House Texas
Covenant House Texas (CHT) provides free, 24/7 emergency shelter and support services specifically for youth and young adults.
Shelter Programs
Safe Haven Emergency Shelter: A crisis shelter providing immediate housing, three meals a day, and basic necessities. It serves roughly 40–50 youth nightly and is often at capacity.
Rights of Passage (ROP): A transitional housing program for youth aged 18–24 that can last up to 18–24 months. It focuses on building independent living skills, such as budgeting and steady employment.
Young Parents Program: Specialized residential services for pregnant and parenting youth, including their children up to age 5 (or 6, depending on the specific program).
Eligibility and Services
Ages Served: Primarily serves youth aged 18 to 24.
Inclusivity: CHT is a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and survivors of human trafficking.
Support Services: Residents have access to the Dr. H Medical Clinic for free physical and mental healthcare, as well as educational and career planning assistance.
Drop-In Center: For those not staying overnight, the Youth Engagement Center offers day services, including meals, laundry, and showers.
Contact and Location Information
Address: 1111 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006.
Main Phone: (713) 523-2231 (available 24/7).
Mission of Yahweh
The Mission of Yahweh is a faith-based shelter in Northwest Houston specifically for homeless women and children. Unlike some overnight emergency shelters, their program is designed for residents who commit to a minimum 30-day stay focused on achieving self-sufficiency.
Immediate Steps for Shelter
Call for Intake: You must call before arriving as walk-ins are not accepted.
Primary Intake Line: (713) 466-4785 ext. 100.
Alternative Shelter Line: (713) 930-0660.
Location: 10247 Algiers Rd, Houston, TX 77041.
Intake Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The shelter itself operates 24/7 once admitted.
Hope Center Houston
Hope Center Houston primarily functions as a day center for adults experiencing homelessness in Northwest Houston. While it offers comprehensive daytime services, it also coordinates emergency shelter and transitional housing options.
Shelter & Housing Programs
Emergency Shelter: Hope Center Houston provides emergency shelter services, specifically including programs that house women overnight.
Transitional Housing: They offer programs to help individuals move from crisis to long-term stability through transitional housing referrals and social services.
Coordinated Access: Staff can perform housing assessments to determine eligibility for broader permanent housing programs in the Houston area.
Location & Contact
Address: 821 Peakwood Dr, Houston, TX 77090.
Phone: (832) 965-5511.
Email: dorie@hopecenterhouston.org.
Hotel Vouchers & Emergency Assistance
Hotel vouchers are generally temporary and used for emergency situations, such as when shelters are full or during extreme weather.
2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE
In Houston, the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE does not typically issue hotel vouchers directly; instead, it acts as a central referral hub that connects you with local agencies, churches, and nonprofits that may have voucher funding available at that time.
Call 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 (or 1-877-541-7905) and Select Option 1 to speak with a local specialist.
Ask for “Emergency Shelter” or “Hotel Vouchers”: Specifically request these terms so the specialist can search their live database for programs with current openings.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Houston provides emergency hotel/motel vouchers primarily as a short-term solution during specific crises, such as when local shelters are at capacity or during extreme weather events.
Eligibility
Vouchers are high-demand and often limited to the most vulnerable populations. Priority is typically given to:
- Families with children who need immediate shelter.
- Seniors and individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions.
- Victims of disaster, such as those displaced by fire, flooding, or major storms.
- Domestic violence survivors fleeing dangerous living situations.
How to Apply
Call First: Because voucher funding fluctuates, always contact a local command center or service center before arriving in person.
Houston Area Command: 713-752-0677.
Family Residence (Midtown): 713-650-6530.
Southwest/Alief Area: 713-988-5201.
Use SAHelp.org: You can apply for emergency financial assistance, including housing-related needs, by entering your ZIP code at SAHelp.org to be matched with the nearest service office.
Family Promise of Lake Houston
Family Promise of Lake Houston (FPLH) utilizes temporary hotel and motel stays as a core part of its emergency shelter and diversion model for families with children. These vouchers are often used as “scattered site” shelter when traditional rotational church-based housing is unavailable or inappropriate for a family’s immediate needs.
How to Access Hotel Vouchers
Vouchers are not typically given out as a standalone “hand-out” but are integrated into a broader self-sufficiency program.
Contact the Life Skills Center: Call (281) 441-3754 Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM to schedule an intake interview.
Initial Assessment: Staff will determine if your family qualifies for the emergency shelter program or the Prevention & Diversion initiative, which includes temporary hotel stays to avoid the trauma of entering a standard shelter.
Location: The main office is located at 1590 FM 1960 Bypass Rd E, Humble, TX 77338
Cy-Fair Helping Hands
At this time, Cy-Fair Helping Hands (CFHH) explicitly states they do not provide hotel vouchers, rental assistance, or utility assistance. Instead, they focus on long-term stability for families and daytime support for unsheltered individuals.
If you are a homeless family with at least one child under 18 currently in the Cy-Fair area, you may qualify for their From Streets to Stability program.
Services: Case management and potential emergency shelter placement for qualifying families.
Intake: You must complete an online form for evaluation. Applications are reviewed Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Waitlist: Please note that they are currently at capacity and utilizing a waiting list.
Challenges & Limitations
Limited availability: Vouchers depend on funding and may run out quickly.
Short-term only: Hotel vouchers are temporary; they serve as a bridge to shelters or permanent housing.
Verification required: Applicants must meet eligibility criteria and provide documentation.
In summary
Houston’s homeless support system combines emergency shelters, transitional housing, and hotel voucher programs to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions. If you or someone you know needs urgent help, start by calling 2-1-1 Texas or reaching out to local providers like the Salvation Army or Houston Homeless Hotel.
