Emergency Shelter Tonight

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If you need a safe place to sleep tonight, I'm really glad you picked this up. You are not alone, and there are people in New Jersey whose whole job is helping you find a bed.

Here is the easy first step in New Jersey: during business hours, call your County Social Services Agency. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, dial 211. We'll walk through the rest together, one page at a time.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.

How does finding a bed work in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you usually don't find a bed by walking from door to door. Your County Social Services Agency is the main front door for people who are homeless or about to lose their home.

NJ 211 says that during business hours, you'll be directed to your county agency, where staff screen you for programs and guide you to the right places.

After business hours, on weekends and on holidays, dial 211. NJ 211 is the State Homeless Hotline. On behalf of the county, it can arrange a one time emergency placement for people who are eligible, plus information and referrals for your situation. If 211 doesn't connect from your phone, call 877.652.1148.

Every county's agency is listed at the end of this guide, with its address, phone and hours.

Sources: https://nj211.org/initiative/state-homeless-hotline and https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties/ and https://nj211.org/njcodeblue

I want to be straight with you, because you deserve that. Shelter beds can fill up, and help depends on your situation and your county's rules. That's exactly why it helps to call early, answer the questions as best you can, and keep calling back.

Please don't give up on yourself. One phone call is a real step, and it counts.

From the Bunklow team

BUNKLY TIP

Keep your numbers with you

Write 211 and your county agency's number on paper, in case your phone dies. You've got this!

What is Emergency Assistance?

Emergency Assistance (EA) is New Jersey's program to help people who are homeless or about to be. The state's Division of Family Development says it's for people who get Work First New Jersey (TANF or General Assistance) or SSI and are facing an immediate risk of homelessness.

The state says EA may include:

• Shelter, or a short stay in transitional housing or a motel
• Temporary rent help, or back rent or mortgage payments
• Utility payments
• Transportation to search for housing
• Moving costs, food and clothing

If your income is too high for Work First New Jersey, the state says the Social Services for the Homeless program may help with emergency food, emergency shelter, security or utility deposits, back rent and utility costs. Ask your county agency about both.

Sources: https://www.nj.gov/disabilities/essential-needs/housing-support/ and https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/counties/

What kinds of shelter are there?

• Emergency shelter. A bed for the night or a short stay, usually for adults or families.
• Family shelter. Some shelters only take parents with children, or mothers with children. Ask about this when you call.
• Domestic violence shelter. A safe, private place for survivors and their kids. Call the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.572.7233, any time. See Guide 8.
• Youth shelter. For young people. Covenant House New Jersey helps young people. In North Jersey, call 973.621.8705. In South Jersey, call 609.348.4070. See Guide 10.
• Warming centers. Places to get out of the cold. See Code Blue below.
• Veterans. Call the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838, any time. See Guide 9.

Sources: https://njcedv.org/ and https://covenanthousenj.org/ and https://department.va.gov/homeless/

What is Code Blue?

When it gets dangerously cold, a county or town can call a Code Blue. NJ 211 says county offices of emergency management and local governments often start a Code Blue Alert so they can arrange shelter for adults who are homeless, which may include opening warming centers.

Camden County, for example, says a Code Blue is called when it's 32 degrees or lower.

• To see open warming centers, visit nj211.org/njcodeblue, or text NJCodeBlue to 898211 to get the link.
• Many libraries, shopping centers and senior centers are warming centers during the day.
• If you were placed before, NJ 211 says it can help arrange a placement after hours when your county calls a Code Blue.

Sources: https://nj211.org/njcodeblue and https://nj211.org/initiative/state-homeless-hotline and https://www.camdencounty.com/service/health-human-services/warming-centers/

What is a shelter usually like?

Every shelter is different. Many have set times to check in and lights out, shared rooms, and rules about visitors and belongings.

Some ask you to leave during the day. That's normal, and it doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

BUNKLY TIP

Ask these three before you go

What time do I need to be there? Can I bring my bags? Is there a place for my kids, partner or pet? Just ask!

What if there's no bed tonight?

How can I stay safe tonight?

• Stay near other people, in a well lit place.
• Keep your phone charged and your ID close to your body.
• Tell someone you trust where you are.
• Trust your gut. If a place feels unsafe, leave if you can.
• If you are a woman alone or with kids, ask about women's and family shelters first.

How do I keep my things and papers safe?

What happens after tonight?

A shelter bed is a start. In New Jersey, your county agency can screen you for programs that can help you move forward, like Emergency Assistance, Work First New Jersey and SNAP.

Many areas also use a process called Coordinated Entry to match people to housing programs. In Passaic County, NJ 211 does Coordinated Entry screenings by phone, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Sources: https://nj211.org/initiative/state-homeless-hotline and https://nj211.org/initiative/county-coordinated-entry-for-homeless

Questions people ask a lot

Sources: https://nj211.org/initiative/state-homeless-hotline and https://nj211.org/njcodeblue and https://njcedv.org/

BUNKLY TIP

Write it down

Each time you call, write down the date, who you talked to and what they said. It really helps. You're doing great!

Who can I call in my county?

Here is your County Social Services Agency and other local help, starting with the biggest counties. Call ahead for hours.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

New Jersey

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Bergen County (Hackensack and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Middlesex County (New Brunswick and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Essex County (Newark)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hudson County (Jersey City and Hoboken)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Monmouth County (Freehold and nearby)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Ocean County (Toms River and Lakewood)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Union County (Elizabeth and Plainfield)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Camden County (Camden and Cherry Hill)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Passaic County (Paterson and Passaic)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Morris County (Morristown and Dover)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other counties (call your county agency)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My plan for tonight

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

BUNKLY TIP

You're doing the right thing

Asking for help is a strong thing to do, my friend. You don't need to have it all figured out before you call. Make it the best night you can, and call again tomorrow.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 22, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 22, 2026