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For women

Resources for women experiencing homelessness

Women-specific shelters, day centers, and crisis lines — including for women fleeing domestic violence.

Women experiencing homelessness face significantly elevated rates of sexual assault and violence on the street, which is one reason many women avoid mixed-gender shelters. Many women's shelters are explicit about being trans-inclusive. The most common precipitating event for women is leaving an abusive partner.

Crisis lines and quick contacts

National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)

US

1-800-799-7233

Free, 24/7. Text START to 88788. Chat at thehotline.org.

Assaulted Women's Helpline (Ontario)

CA

1-866-863-0511

Free, 24/7. Other provinces have their own lines — 211 will route you.

211

US & CA

211

Free, 24/7. Knows women's shelter availability in your area code.

Find women-specific resources near you

Showing 215 resources that specifically serve women. Type your city or share your location to rank them by distance.

Within:

    Top cities for women resources

    National & regional charities

    Effective organizations for donating, volunteering, or finding help. We don't take a cut — every link goes directly to the charity.

    National Network to End Domestic Violence (US)

    Operates the national hotline and supports DV shelters in every state.

    Visit nnedv.org ↗

    Rosie's Place (Boston)

    First women-only shelter in the US.

    Visit rosiesplace.org ↗

    Downtown Women's Center (LA)

    Only LA organization focused exclusively on women experiencing homelessness.

    Visit downtownwomenscenter.org ↗

    Cornerstone Housing for Women (Ottawa)

    Ottawa's only emergency shelter exclusively for women.

    Visit cornerstonewomen.ca ↗

    What to know

    • • If you're leaving DV, call the DV hotline first — they coordinate emergency placement separately from coordinated entry, and the address is usually confidential.
    • • Most women's shelters now serve trans women. If unsure, ask before you go.
    • • Day shelters (Rose Haven Portland, Sistering Toronto, etc.) are often a safer first stop than mixed-gender night shelters.
    • • Survivors of trafficking are eligible for specific protections and visas in the US. Polaris Project (1-888-373-7888) is the national hotline.

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