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 North Carolina whose whole job is helping you find a bed.

Here is the easy first step: in Mecklenburg County, call Coordinated Entry at 704.284.9665. In Wake County, visit an access site like Oak City Cares. Everywhere else, 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 North Carolina?

In most of North Carolina, you don't find a bed by walking from door to door. Each area has a front door, often called Coordinated Entry, that screens you and points you to open beds and programs.

NC 211 can tell you the front door for your county. If 211 doesn't connect from your phone, call 888.892.1162.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://nc211.org/

What if I'm in Charlotte or Raleigh?

In Mecklenburg County, the front door is Coordinated Entry. The county says to call 704.284.9665 and leave a message.

Staff call back Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. It's for people who are homeless now or expect to be soon.

In Wake County, you can start a Coordinated Entry assessment in person at Oak City Cares, 1430 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 3:30 pm, Wednesday from 9 am to 12:30 pm, and Friday from 9 am to 2:30 pm. Single women without children can go to the Women's Center, 2200 New Bern Ave., Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 11:30 am. Bramer, at 3211 Bramer Drive, is an overnight shelter for single men and women, open daily 7 pm to 7 am, first come, first served.

Sources: https://css.mecknc.gov/Housing-Stabilization/coordinated-entry and https://www.wakenc507.org/

I want to be straight with you, because you deserve that. Shelter beds can fill up, and help depends on your situation and your area'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's Coordinated Entry number, on paper in case your phone dies. You've got this!

Can the state help me pay for a place to stay?

North Carolina doesn't have one statewide rent emergency program, but help exists. Your county DSS may offer emergency assistance, and in Mecklenburg County, Crisis Assistance Ministry helps income qualified residents with short term rent or utility help at 704.371.3001.

Dial 211 to ask what's open in your county.

Sources: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory and https://www.crisisassistance.org/programs/get-help/

What if I have kids with me?

Tell the person on the phone right away that you have children, and how old they are. Many areas have family shelter or motel help set aside for families.

Your kids can often stay in their school. Ask the school's homeless liaison about rides and supplies.

What if I'm not safe at home?

If someone is hurting you or scaring you, there are shelters just for people leaving abuse, and they keep their addresses private. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233 any time, day or night.

Guide 8 lists North Carolina programs.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/

What if I'm a veteran?

Call the VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877.424.3838, any time, day or night. Tell them you're a veteran and need a place to stay.

Guide 9 has more.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://department.va.gov/homeless/

What if I'm young?

If you're under 25, there are youth shelters and drop in centers made for you. In Charlotte, The Relatives runs a 24/7 Youth Crisis Center for ages 7 to 17; the hotline is 704.377.0602.

In Raleigh, Haven House Services helps young people. You can also call 1-800-RUNAWAY. Guide 10 has more.

What if it's very cold tonight?

North Carolina weather can turn dangerous. Summers are hot and humid, hurricanes can hit the coast, and nights in the mountains get freezing cold.

If you're outside in extreme heat or cold, call 211 and ask about cooling or warming centers. If someone is confused, very sleepy, or can't feel their hands or feet, call 911. Get inside as soon as you can.

BUNKLY TIP

Stay together if you can

If you're with a partner or a friend, ask if there's a place where you can stay together. Not every shelter can, but some can.

Questions people ask a lot

BUNKLY TIP

One step at a time

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 help that works across North Carolina, then local shelters and front doors in the biggest counties, then a county DSS list for other counties. Call ahead for hours.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

North Carolina

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Wake County (Raleigh)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Other counties (call your county DSS)

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. 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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Last updated October 22, 2026