If you are experiencing homelessness in Jonesboro, Arkansas, you have access to immediate assistance through shelters such as The Salvation Army, the Women’s Crisis Center, and Consolidated Youth Services, in addition to receiving housing support from the Jonesboro Urban Renewal and Housing Authority. Furthermore, The HUB (Helping Underserved Belong) serves as a central access point to connect individuals with long-term housing options and support services.
Emergency Shelter and Immediate Assistance (Jonesboro, AR)
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army in Jonesboro provides comprehensive support to individuals experiencing homelessness, including emergency shelter, food assistance, and long-term case management.
Emergency Shelter Services
- Capacity and Eligibility: The shelter is a 20-bed facility that accommodates men, women, and families. To stay at the shelter, individuals must be at least 18 years of age, pass a local police background check, and not be listed on the sex offender registry.
- Hours of Operation: The shelter opens daily at 4:00 p.m.
- Length of Stay: A typical stay lasts 14 days, during which residents meet with a social worker to develop an action plan aimed at achieving self-sufficiency.
Food and Essential Support
- Food Pantry: Available to individuals in need of grocery provisions.
- Social Services: The office is open Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for social services appointments. Specific walk-in hours for assistance are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Address: 800 Cate Avenue, Jonesboro, AR 72401.
Phone: 870-932-3785.
Sure Foundation
The Sure Foundation organization in Jonesboro operates The Hope House, a resource center and day shelter specifically designed to fill gaps in support for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Day Shelter and Basic Needs
Unlike The Salvation Army, which provides overnight accommodation, The Hope House functions primarily as a daytime resource center to help individuals maintain their hygiene and dignity throughout the day.
Hours of Operation: Open 7 days a week.
Hygiene and Care: Offers access to showers (hygiene products included) and laundry services.
Food Assistance: Provides grab-and-go meals designed to meet daily caloric requirements.
Climate Control: Serves as a warming center in winter and a cooling center in summer.
Professional and Medical Services
- Mental Health: Licensed therapists or interns provide counseling services on-site.
- Basic Medical Care: Offers limited basic care, such as blood pressure checks and wound dressing.
- Technology Access: Computers and laptops are available for job searching, resume writing, and applying for benefits or housing. Housing Initiatives
Through the Sure Foundation, Promise House was recently opened as an assisted living home for women. This facility offers long-term housing for up to eight women, focusing on teaching the life skills necessary for independent living.
Address: 111 North Fisher Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401 (located next to the Fisher Street Church of God in Christ).
Phone: 870-933-0305 or 870-333-5506.
Email: surefoundationcares@gmail.com.
Family Crisis Center, Inc.
The Family Crisis Center of Northeast Arkansas, located in Jonesboro, offers emergency shelter, transitional housing, food, clothing, counseling, and advocacy services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It operates a 24/7 helpline at (870) 933-9449 and provides confidential housing and support services to individuals and families in crisis.
Address: 519 W Washington Ave, Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone (Emergency Hotline): 870-933-9449
Website: neafamilycrisiscenter.org
Consolidated Youth Services Inc
Consolidated Youth Services, Inc. (CYS), headquartered in Jonesboro, offers specialized emergency shelter and residential support for at-risk youth, runaways, and homeless youth.
Emergency Youth Shelter
Target Population: Boys and girls, generally between the ages of 10 and 17 (some programs may extend up to age 18 or 19).
Eligibility: Serves youth who are homeless, have run away from home, have committed status offenses (offenses specific to minors), or require immediate intervention during a crisis situation.
Referral Process: Youth may be referred by law enforcement, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), juvenile courts, or their parents. Youth who have run away or are homeless may also seek assistance directly on their own initiative.
Duration: Provides immediate, short-term placement for crisis situations; stays often last up to 45 or 60 days while permanent solutions are being sought.
Address: 4220 Stadium Blvd, Jonesboro, AR 72404.
Phone: 870-972-1110.
The HUB (Helping Underserved Belong)
The HUB (Helping Underserved Belong) serves as the primary “point of entry” in Jonesboro for individuals experiencing homelessness—or at imminent risk of becoming homeless—to access a network of local services. Unlike a traditional shelter, it is a resource center focused on connecting individuals with the tools necessary to achieve long-term stability.
The HUB offers a variety of interim services designed to help individuals overcome homelessness:
Documentation Support: Assistance with obtaining birth certificates and identification (Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.).
Workforce and Financial Preparation: Job readiness programs, services for veterans (Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.), and financial literacy and budgeting classes.
Health and Wellness: Mental health counseling assessments (Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) and assistance with Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment.
Basic Needs: Access to a bicycle program, mail service, laundry facilities, and daily lunches (sandwiches) for visitors.
Community Outreach: A community outreach program is conducted on Wednesdays to distribute food, tents, and water to individuals unable to travel to the center’s physical facilities.
The 90-Day Stabilization Program
The HUB administers a 90-day stabilization program (extendable up to six months) for individuals who are ready to make active changes, such as attending life skills classes or seeking permanent housing.
St. Bernards Recuperative Care Program
The St. Bernards Recuperative Care Program in Jonesboro is a specialized 4-bed unit designed for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who require a safe place to recover from medical or mental health issues.
Bridge of Care: Acts as a liaison between hospitals (Emergency Departments, Behavioral Health) and local shelters that lack medical or mental health follow-up services within their own facilities.
Location: The unit is located within the Craighead County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at 837 Willett Road, Jonesboro, AR.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this 4-bed temporary shelter, an individual must:
- Meet the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) definition of homelessness or being at risk of homelessness.
- Have a serious medical condition, a serious mental illness, or be at risk of institutionalization due to substance use.
- Demonstrate the ability to live independently (as continuous 24-hour nursing care is not provided within the unit itself).
- Referral Source: A referral is typically required from a St. Bernards healthcare entity (such as the Emergency Department or Behavioral Health area) or from other social service agencies.
Phone: 870-393-5335 (Crisis Stabilization Unit) or 870-207-3070.
Housing Support and Rental Assistance
Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC)
The Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC) is a community action agency in Jonesboro that focuses on anti-poverty services, including rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and emergency financial assistance.
Housing and Rental Assistance
Rapid Rehousing: The CRDC is a designated provider for the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, which helps individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness move quickly into permanent housing.
Eviction Prevention: The agency provides emergency rental payments to residents facing financial hardship in order to prevent them from becoming homeless. In previous years, this program has helped more than 100 local families remain in their homes.
Affordable Housing Management: CRDC manages 99 affordable housing units throughout Northeast Arkansas, including apartments in Jonesboro that qualify for HUD assistance.
Phone: 870-802-7100.
Mission Outreach of Paragould
Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas (NEA), located in Paragould, is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, daily meals, and essential medical care to the homeless population of Northeast Arkansas.
Emergency Shelter and Housing
60-Bed Shelter: Operates 365 days a year with separate sleeping areas for men, women, and families.
Duration: The average length of stay is 40 days, although both short-term and long-term housing options are available.
Housing Assistance: Staff members work in collaboration with the Paragould Housing Authority to help residents transition into permanent housing.
Address: 901 East Lake Street, Paragould, AR 72450.
Phone: 870-236-8080.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Jonesboro promotes housing stability by selling household items at affordable prices, using all funds raised to finance the affordable housing projects of Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Arkansas.
Address: 3610 E. Highland Dr., Jonesboro, AR 72401.
Phone: 870-336-0462.
St. Bernards Medical Center
St. Bernards Medical Center offers various assistance programs, ranging from direct financial aid for medical bills to specialized support for vulnerable populations. St. Bernards provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who lack health insurance, have insufficient coverage, or, for other reasons, are unable to afford necessary medical care.
You must complete a Financial Assistance Application and provide documentation such as proof of income, tax returns, and bank statements. Contact a financial advisor by calling 870-207-7227 or 870-207-7228 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
How to Get Help Quickly
If you need help right now, follow these steps:
- Head to an emergency shelter—such as the Salvation Army—if you need a place to stay for the night.
- Contact The HUB to initiate a long-term plan aimed at securing housing.
- Call local helplines (especially in cases of domestic violence or youth emergencies).
- Inquire about admission requirements (identification, background checks, or references may be required).
Key Takeaway
Jonesboro offers a network of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and support services; however, the best first step is to contact The HUB or the Salvation Army to secure immediate shelter. From there, organizations such as the Housing Authority and the Continuum of Care can help ensure long-term housing stability.
