Request Emergency Shelter Referral
Reviewed Aug 14, 2026
If you need a safe place to stay tonight, HTHS can help search for emergency shelter options and make referrals to organizations that control their own admissions and bed availability.
Immediate danger: Call 911 if you are in immediate danger, need emergency medical help, or cannot remain safely where you are. Do not wait for an online response.
How HTHS Can Help
- Search known shelter and emergency-housing resources.
- Help you contact providers and understand basic intake requirements.
- Discuss transportation options when a referral is outside walking distance.
- Record a Help Request when additional follow-up is needed.
Information That Helps
- Who needs shelter, including the ages of any children.
- Your current general location and transportation needs.
- Mobility, accessibility, medical-equipment, or language needs.
- Whether pets, service animals, safety concerns, or family composition may affect placement.
- Any identification or referral paperwork you already have, if available.
What to Expect
- Shelter openings can change quickly and may not be available locally.
- Each provider sets its own eligibility, identification, curfew, screening, and length-of-stay rules.
- A referral does not guarantee admission or reserve a bed.
- You may be asked to call the provider directly, complete an intake, join a waitlist, or travel to another community.
HTHS cannot guarantee shelter placement. Staff will share the best verified options available at the time of the request and may help identify another safe next step when no bed is available.
Official and Community Search Tools
- HUD Find Shelter searches for shelter, housing, health care, and clothing resources by location.
- Kentucky 211 connects people with housing and other community services. You may also dial 211.
- Help Finding Housing explains longer-term housing referral support.
HTHS Self-Service
Use this resource as part of a personal Help Plan
Save it with an Interaction, keep notes for yourself, report what happened, and request follow-up only when needed.