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, this guide is for you. Take a breath. There are people in Georgia whose job is to help you find a bed.
Start by dialing 211. In the City of Atlanta, you can also call 311 for homeless help. In Fulton County outside Atlanta, call a county Homeless Assessment Center. In Gwinnett County, start with Coordinated Entry.
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.
Shelters fill up, so start early in the day if you can. Dial 211 and say you need shelter tonight.
Tell them where you are, who is with you, and if you have pets or special needs. 211 can tell you which places may have room.
Sources: https://unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211/
Tonight, in order
- If you're in danger, call 911.
- Dial 211 and ask for shelter near you.
- In the City of Atlanta, call 311 and ask for homeless help.
- In Fulton County outside Atlanta, call the North or South Fulton Homeless Assessment Center.
- In Gwinnett County, ask 211 about Coordinated Entry, or call The Salvation Army of Gwinnett.
- Write down every name and number you get.
How does shelter work in the Atlanta area?
In the City of Atlanta, Partners for HOME runs the city's homelessness response. Call 311 to get help, and they can connect you with shelter and outreach.
Partners for HOME also lists access points for youth, veterans and health care.
Gateway Center in downtown Atlanta helps people who are homeless with shelter, case management and a path to housing. Atlanta Mission offers shelter and recovery programs for men, women and children.
In Fulton County outside the city, the county runs two Homeless Assessment Centers. They're open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. You can walk in from 9 am to noon, or make an appointment for the afternoon.
Sources: https://partnersforhome.org/help/ https://gatewayctr.org/
What to say when you call
"Hi. I need a place to stay tonight."
"I'm in (town or ZIP code)."
"It's just me," or "I have (number) kids with me."
"Is there anywhere with room tonight? If not, who else should I call?"
What about Gwinnett and other counties?
In Gwinnett County, Coordinated Entry is the front door to homeless help. HomeFirst Gwinnett can help you get started, and walk in assessments happen at the Latin American Association Gwinnett Outreach Center in Norcross.
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett offers emergency shelter, and Rainbow Village helps families with children.
Everywhere else in Georgia, dial 211. You can also call your county's Community Action Agency, listed at the back of this guide.
Sources: https://homefirstgwinnett.org/
Ask about the weather
On very hot or very cold nights, some cities open extra warming or cooling centers. Ask 211 if any are open tonight.
What should I bring?
Bring what you can carry easily. Shelters often have limited space for belongings.
A small go bag
What if every shelter is full?
It's hard to hear "we're full." Please don't give up. Space can open up during the day, so call back.
Ask each place, "Who else could help?" Day centers can be a safe place to rest, eat and plan your next step.
Coordinated Entry is how many areas connect people to housing programs. You answer some questions once, and staff use your answers to match you with programs that fit. Ask 211, 311 or your county assessment center how to start.
Say you lost your apartment in Marietta
You could dial 211 in the morning and ask about shelter and day centers. If you're in Atlanta, you could call 311. If you have kids, you could ask about family shelter. Then you could start a SNAP application on Georgia Gateway, so food is covered while you get settled.
Questions people ask a lot
Can I bring my pet?
Some shelters accept pets or service animals. Ask when you call.
Can my family stay together?
Many family shelters keep families together. Ask 211 about family shelter.
What if I'm under 25?
There are shelters just for young people, like Covenant House Georgia for ages 18 to 24. See guide 10.
What if I'm not safe at home?
Call the Georgia statewide domestic violence hotline at 1.800.334.2836, any time. See guide 8.
Do I have to pay?
Most emergency shelters don't charge. Ask when you call.
How do I make the most of each call?
Calling for help can feel like a lot. A little planning makes each call easier, and you'll get further, faster.
- Call early in the day if you can. It leaves time to follow up the same day.
- Have a pen, paper and your papers close by before you call.
- Say what you need in one or two sentences first. Then answer their questions.
- Ask, "Is there anything else I should apply for?" One call can open more doors.
- Before you hang up, ask who you talked to and what happens next.
- Write it all down in your call log at the back of this guide.
If you get put on hold or cut off
"Hi, I was just talking with someone about (what you need), and we got cut off."
"Can you help me pick up where we left off?"
"Is there a direct number I can use if this happens again?"
Keep going, friend
If one place can't help, ask them who can. Each call gets you closer.
What if I'm told no, or put on a waitlist?
A no from one place isn't a no from everyone. Programs have different rules, funds and space, and things change from week to week.
- Ask why. Knowing the reason helps you know what to try next.
- Ask, "Who else could help with this?" Write down every name and number they share.
- If you're on a waitlist, ask how long it usually takes and how you'll hear from them. Ask how often you should check in.
- Keep your phone number and address up to date with every program, so you don't miss a call or letter.
- If a state agency turns you down, read the letter right away. It explains how to ask for a review. Call legal aid if you want help.
- Dial 211, or search unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211 any time, to look for other options near you.
Keep your papers safe
You're doing great
Asking for help, and asking again, takes strength. I'm cheering you on every step of the way.
Here is help that works across Georgia, then local help in Atlanta and Fulton County and in Gwinnett County, then help for other counties. Call ahead for hours.
Federal help (works in every state)
Here are some places to start.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
What it offers Private, no cost support 24/7 for anyone hurt or threatened by a partner. Advocates can help you make a safety plan and find local programs and shelter. The Hotline does not give cash or hotel vouchers, but it can connect you to local groups that may.
How to reach Call 800.799.7233. Text START to 88788. Chat at https://www.thehotline.org/
Source https://www.thehotline.org/
Last checked October 22, 2026
VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
What it offers Private, no cost calls 24/7 for Veterans who are homeless or at risk. Trained staff connect you to your nearest VA for help.
How to reach Call 877.424.3838. Live chat is linked from https://www.va.gov/homeless/
Source https://department.va.gov/homeless/
Last checked October 22, 2026
National Runaway Safeline
What it offers Private, no cost, nonjudgmental support 24/7 for young people in crisis and the adults who care about them. Staff listen, help you look at options and connect you to local help. Its Home No cost program can give young people ages 12 to 21 a no cost ride to a confirmed safe adult or safe place.
How to reach Call or text 800.786.2929. Chat at https://www.1800runaway.org/
Source https://www.1800runaway.org/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Georgia
Here are some places to start.
United Way 211 (metro Atlanta)
What it offers A help line and online search for local help with housing, food, utilities, health care and more, run by United Way of Greater Atlanta. Outside metro Atlanta, dialing 211 connects you to the 211 for your area.
How to reach Dial 211, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Search any time at https://unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211/
Source https://unitedwayatlanta.org/about-211/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Georgia Gateway
What it offers Georgia's online site to apply for SNAP (food stamps), TANF cash help, Medicaid, WIC and child care help, and to check your case.
How to reach Apply at https://gateway.ga.gov/ Questions: call the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877.423.4746.
Source https://dfcs.georgia.gov/about-us/contact-information
Last checked October 22, 2026
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
What it offers Talk to someone right away if you or someone you know is in a mental health or substance use crisis. Open 24/7 for calls, text and chat, for anyone in Georgia. GCAL can also send a mobile crisis team.
How to reach Call 800.715.4225, or call or text 988.
Source https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/988-georgia
Last checked October 22, 2026
Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline
What it offers A 24 hour hotline that connects you to the nearest certified domestic violence shelter in Georgia. Interpreters are available.
How to reach Call 1.800.334.2836 (1.800.33.HAVEN), any time.
Source https://gcadv.org/projects-and-initiatives/statewide-domestic-violence-hotline/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Atlanta and Fulton County
Here are some places to start.
Partners for HOME (City of Atlanta)
What it offers The City of Atlanta's homelessness response. Call 311 for homeless help inside the city. Partners for HOME also lists access points for youth, veterans and health care.
How to reach Call 311 inside the City of Atlanta, or dial 211.
Source https://partnersforhome.org/help/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Gateway Center
What it offers A center in downtown Atlanta that helps people who are homeless with shelter, case management and a path to housing.
How to reach Call 404.215.6600. Office: 275 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta.
Source https://gatewayctr.org/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Atlanta Mission
What it offers Shelter and recovery programs for men, women and children in metro Atlanta.
How to reach Call 404.588.4000.
Source https://atlantamission.org/get-help/
Last checked October 22, 2026
Fulton County Homeless Assessment Centers
What it offers Help for people outside the City of Atlanta who are homeless or about to be. North Fulton: 7741 Roswell Rd. NE, Atlanta. South Fulton: 5600 Stonewall Tell Rd., College Park. Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Walk in from 9 am to noon, or make an appointment for 1 pm to 4 pm.
How to reach Call North Fulton at 404.612.0720 or South Fulton at 404.612.0137.
Last checked October 22, 2026
Covenant House Georgia
What it offers Shelter and support for young people ages 18 to 24 in Atlanta.
How to reach Need shelter? Call 404.713.0954. Main line: 404.589.0163. Office: 1559 Johnson Rd. NW, Atlanta.
Source https://covenanthousega.org/crisis-shelter
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Gwinnett County
Here are some places to start.
Gwinnett County Coordinated Entry (HomeFirst Gwinnett)
What it offers The front door to homeless help in Gwinnett County. Walk in assessments at the Latin American Association Gwinnett Outreach Center, 5320 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross.
How to reach Start at https://homefirstgwinnett.org/ or dial 211.
Source https://homefirstgwinnett.org/
Last checked October 22, 2026
The Salvation Army of Gwinnett
What it offers Emergency shelter and other help in Gwinnett County.
How to reach Call 770.724.1677.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
Rainbow Village
What it offers Housing and support for families with children who are homeless in Gwinnett County.
How to reach Call 770.497.1888.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
Home of Hope (Gwinnett Children Shelter)
What it offers Shelter and support for children and young people in Gwinnett County.
How to reach Call 678.549.8770.
Source https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/government/departments/financial-services/grants/housing-assistance
Last checked October 22, 2026
Other local groups may also help.
Other counties (call your Community Action Agency)
Every Georgia county is served by a Community Action Agency that can help with energy bills and emergency needs when funds allow. If you don't live in Fulton or Gwinnett County, start here. Dial 211 for the phone number and hours, or check the Georgia Community Action Association page.
ACTION, Inc. (Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 2440 West Broad St., Suite 9, Athens. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
action pact, Inc. (Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bulloch, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Effingham, Evans, Jeff Davis, Long, Pierce, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware and Wayne counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 510 Tebeau St., Waycross. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Central Savannah River Area EOA (Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1261 Greene St., Augusta. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Clayton County Community Services Authority (Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1000 Main St., Forest Park. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority (Bryan, Camden, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1 Community Action Dr., Brunswick. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Coastal Plain Area EOA (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1810 W. Hill Ave., A6, Valdosta. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Community Action for Improvement (Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1380 Lafayette Pkwy., LaGrange. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Enrichment Services Program (Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart and Talbot counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 2601 Cross Country Dr., #C, Columbus. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
EOA for Savannah-Chatham County Area (Chatham County)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 618 West Anderson St., Savannah. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Heart of Georgia Community Action Council (Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler and Wilcox counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 324 Pine St., Eastman. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Macon-Bibb County EOC (Bibb County)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 456 Bay St., Macon. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Middle Georgia Community Action Agency (Butts, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Peach, Pike, Spalding, Twiggs and Upson counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 121 Prince St., Warner Robins. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Ninth District Opportunity (Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 308 Spring St., Gainesville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
North Georgia Community Action (Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Walker and Whitfield counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 1344 Talking Rock Rd., Jasper. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Overview, Inc. (Baldwin, Hancock, Jasper, Johnson, Putnam, Washington and Wilkinson counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 325 N. Cobb St., Milledgeville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Partnership for Community Action (DeKalb, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 3597 Covington Hwy., Decatur. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Southwest Georgia Community Action Council (Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 912 First Ave. SE, Moultrie. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
Tallatoona Community Action Partnership (Bartow, Cobb, Douglas, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding and Polk counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 314 E. Main St., Cartersville. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
UNITY Community Action Council (Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Taylor and Webster counties)
What it offers Help with energy bills and emergency needs for people who qualify, when funds allow.
How to reach Office: 4036 State Route 90 East, Montezuma. Dial 211 for the phone and hours.
Source https://georgiacaa.org/find-your-local-agency
Last checked October 22, 2026
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!
My next steps
Calls I made today
Key numbers to keep
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. Take it one step at a time, and call again tomorrow if you need to.
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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