Pick your state. Every listing starts with the fastest route to a real human who knows what's open tonight. We're adding states every week — get the Dispatch to hear when yours lands.
Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7) · Call 911 for emergencies · Dial 211 for food, shelter & services anywhere in the U.S.
First call: dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org — statewide directory of shelters, food, and services.
Charlotte: Roof Above operates day services and shelter — walk in or call 211 for bed availability. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library offers free phone/internet access and daytime refuge.
Statewide: every county has a 211 center. Rural areas: ask 211 about churches and community action agencies — they often hold the keys to emergency funds.
First call: dial 2-1-1 or visit sc211.org.
Columbia: Transitions Homeless Center — day center, meals, and case management. Charleston: One80 Place — shelter, kitchen, and legal clinic.
SC 211 covers all 46 counties; operators can find the nearest open shelter bed.
First call: dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP to 898211.
Atlanta: Gateway Center downtown — intake, shelter placement, and services under one roof. Central OAC and area churches run nightly meal programs.
Outside Atlanta: United Way 211 of Greater Atlanta covers much of the state; rural callers should ask about Salvation Army corps community centers.
First call: dial 2-1-1.
Nashville: Room In The Inn — winter shelter plus year-round day services. Memphis: Hospitality Hub — one-stop intake downtown. Knoxville: KARM (Knox Area Rescue Ministries).
First call: dial 2-1-1 or visit 211virginia.org.
Richmond: HomeAgain and the Daily Planet Health Services. Northern VA: FACETS and New Hope Housing. Coastal areas: ask 211 about seasonal hypothermia shelters (Nov–Mar).
First call: dial 2-1-1 (available in most counties) or call the county sheriff's non-emergency line and ask for homeless outreach.
Miami: Camillus House — meals, shelter, health care. Orlando: Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Statewide: Florida's 211 network is patchy in rural counties — libraries are your best backup for finding local services.
A note on accuracy: shelters open, close, and fill up. Always call ahead when you can. If a listing here is wrong, tell us and we'll fix it — this directory only works if readers keep it honest. More states coming soon.