What Cass Homeless Shelter offers and who can stay there
Cass Homeless Shelter is a low-barrier overnight shelter in London run by the charity Cass. It provides beds, meals, and basic facilities to people experiencing homelessness, with no requirement to be sober, employed, or engaged in any program to sleep there. The shelter operates year-round and does not turn people away based on immigration status, criminal history, or whether they have stayed there before.
The shelter is located in central London and operates on a first-come, first-served basis for most of its beds. You do not need to book in advance — you arrive in the evening and check in at the desk. The shelter provides a safe place to sleep, access to showers and toilets, and a meal. Staff are present overnight, and the environment is designed to be low-pressure: there are no mandatory programs, no curfews beyond the shelter's operating hours, and no conditions attached to a bed.
Cass also runs a day centre at the same location, which opens during daytime hours and offers hot drinks, a place to sit, access to phones and computers, and information about other services. The day centre is separate from the overnight shelter but serves the same population.
Key Takeaways
- Cass Homeless Shelter is a first-come, first-served overnight shelter in central London with no sobriety, employment, or program requirements.
- You arrive in the evening, check in at the desk, and receive a bed, shower access, and a meal with no booking needed.
- The shelter operates year-round and does not exclude people based on immigration status, criminal history, or previous stays.
- Cass also runs a daytime centre at the same location offering hot drinks, seating, phone and computer access, and information about other services.
- Staff are present overnight, and the shelter is designed as a low-barrier space with no mandatory participation in programs or activities.
How to access a bed at Cass
To stay at Cass, you straightforward arrive at the shelter in the evening during opening hours. There is no pre-booking system for most beds. You walk in, give your name to staff at the desk, and they assign you a bed for the night. Bring any belongings you have with you — the shelter has find storage for personal items during the day if you need to leave.
The shelter opens in the evening and closes in the morning. Exact opening and closing times are set by Cass and may vary seasonally or by day of the week, so it is worth checking their current hours before you go. If you arrive after closing time, you will not be able to get a bed that night. During winter months, some shelters in London extend hours or add extra beds, so ask staff whether additional capacity is available.
You do not need identification, proof of address, or any documents to stay at Cass. You do not need to be registered with a GP, have a National Insurance number, or prove you are a UK citizen. The shelter accepts people in any circumstance.
What happens when you arrive
When you arrive at Cass, staff will ask for your name and basic information — where you slept last night, whether you have any when ready health or safety concerns, and whether you have stayed at Cass before. This information helps staff understand your situation and may support the shelter can meet your needs. They will not judge you or refuse you based on your answers.
You will be shown to your bed, given access to shower facilities and clean towels, and told where meals are served. Meals at Cass are provided as part of your stay and are usually served at set times in the evening and morning. If you have dietary needs or allergies, tell staff when you arrive so they can help if possible.
The shelter has rules designed to keep everyone safe — no violence, no weapons, no dealing drugs on the premises. These are enforced consistently. If you break these rules, you may be asked to leave. However, being intoxicated, having a mental health crisis, or having a criminal record will not get you removed.
Support and services available at Cass
Cass staff can point you toward other services — housing information, mental health support, substance use services, benefits information, and help with employment. They do not provide these services directly, but they know what is available in London and can tell you how to contact organisations that do. If you want to talk to someone about your situation, staff are available to listen and discuss options.
The shelter does not require you to engage with any support service or program. If you want to sleep and leave, that is fine. If you want to talk to staff about housing options or other help, that is also fine. The choice is yours.
Cass is part of a network of homelessness services in London. If you need longer-term housing, mental health support, or help with substance use, staff can tell you which organisations to contact and sometimes help you make contact. The speed and ease of accessing these services depends on what you need and how long the waiting lists are.
What Cass does not provide
Cass is an overnight shelter, not a residential program. You get a bed for one night at a time. There is no may provide of a bed on the following night — you have to return and check in again. During very busy periods, the shelter may reach capacity, though this is rare.
Cass does not provide long-term housing, mental health treatment, or substance use treatment. It does not provide medical care beyond basic first aid. If you have a serious health problem, staff will help you contact NHS services or an ambulance. The shelter is a place to sleep safely while you work on longer-term solutions.
The shelter does not provide storage for belongings during the day. You can leave your things in your bed area overnight, but during the day you need to take them with you or use the day centre's storage if available. Ask staff what options exist on the day you stay.
Staying safe and what to expect
Cass is designed to be a safe space. Staff are present overnight, and the shelter has security measures in place. You will have your own bed in a dormitory-style room with other people. Showers and toilets are separate facilities. The shelter is heated in winter and has basic furnishings.
The shelter operates on a low-barrier model, which means you will encounter people with a range of experiences — some may be dealing with mental health issues, substance use, or trauma. Staff manage conflicts and safety concerns, but you should be prepared for a shared space with people in difficult circumstances.
If you feel unsafe or have a concern about another person's behaviour, tell staff when ready. They are there to respond and can move you to a different area of the shelter or take other steps to keep you safe.
Other shelters and alternatives in London
Cass is one of several overnight shelters in London. Other organisations run shelters with different models — some require sobriety, some offer longer stays, some specialise in particular groups like young people or women. If Cass is full or does not meet your needs, staff can tell you about other options.
If you need housing rather than just a night's shelter, organisations like Shelter, St Mungo's, and local council housing teams can discuss longer-term options with you. These may include temporary accommodation, supported housing, or help with a private rental. The process is different from accessing a shelter bed and usually takes longer.
During winter, London runs additional emergency shelter capacity. If you cannot find a bed at Cass, ask staff whether extra beds are available elsewhere that night, or contact a local homelessness service to find out what is open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be sober to stay at Cass?
No. Cass is a low-barrier shelter and does not require you to be sober. You can stay if you have been drinking or using drugs. The only rule is that you cannot deal drugs on the premises or become violent. If you are intoxicated but not causing harm, you can stay.
What if I have stayed at Cass many times before?
You can return as many times as you need. There is no limit on how many nights you can stay or how many times you can come back. Each night you check in as usual and receive a bed.
Can I bring a partner or friend with me?
Cass accommodates individuals. If your partner or friend also needs a bed, they can check in separately and will be assigned their own bed. Ask staff about the best way to do this when you arrive.
What if I have a pet?
Cass does not allow pets in the shelter itself. If you have a dog or cat, you will need to make other arrangements for the night. Some London organisations offer pet-friendly accommodation or can help you find a safe place for your pet while you stay in shelter. Ask staff whether they know of options.
Can I leave during the night and come back?
Once you leave the shelter, you cannot re-enter that night. If you go out in the evening, you will need to find somewhere else to sleep. Plan your evening so you can stay through the night.