What shelters are available in Des Moines right now
Des Moines has several shelters that provide overnight beds, meals, and basic services. The main facilities are run by organizations including the Salvation Army, Broadlawns Medical Center's homeless outreach program, and community nonprofits. Shelter availability and rules change seasonally — winter shelters often expand capacity, while summer options may be more limited.
To find current shelter locations, phone numbers, and bed availability, call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). The 211 service covers Polk County and connects you to a real person who knows which shelters have open beds that night. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or visit 211iowa.org online. This is faster than calling individual shelters because staff at 211 check availability in real time.
The Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center, located at 1515 Mulberry Street, is one of the largest year-round options. Broadlawns operates a mobile outreach team and can direct you to shelter beds. Community organizations like the Polk County Homeless Alliance also maintain lists of current resources.
Key Takeaways
- Call 211 to find which shelters have beds available tonight — this is faster than calling shelters directly because staff check availability in real time.
- Most Des Moines shelters require you to arrive and check in during evening hours, typically between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and you must leave by morning.
- Shelters provide a bed and usually a meal, but rules about belongings, visitors, and substance use vary by location.
- Winter shelters often have more beds and may stay open during the day; summer options are typically night-only and fill up faster.
- If you are turned away or a shelter is full, 211 can tell you about overflow options or help you find other resources the same night.
What to expect when you arrive at a shelter
When you show up at a shelter, staff will ask for your name and may ask basic questions about where you are from and whether you have any medical needs. You do not need identification, a Social Security number, or proof of residence to get a bed. Most shelters do a brief safety screening — they may ask if you are carrying weapons or if you have active warrants, but this is to keep everyone safe, not to turn you away for legal reasons.
Check-in usually happens in the early evening, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. depending on the shelter. You will be assigned a bed, given a meal if the shelter serves dinner, and told the rules for that night — what time lights out is, where bathrooms are, what happens in the morning. Most shelters require you to leave by 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. the next day.
Bring whatever you can carry. Shelters have different policies about belongings — some have lockers or storage, others ask you to keep bags with you. Ask staff when you arrive what the rules are for your things. If you have a pet, ask 211 when you call, because most shelters do not allow animals, but a few have pet-friendly options or can connect you with foster programs.
Rules and restrictions that vary by shelter
Each Des Moines shelter sets its own rules about alcohol, drugs, and behavior. Most require you to be sober when you check in and do not allow drinking or drug use on the premises. Some shelters are stricter than others — a few have zero-tolerance policies and will turn you away if staff suspect you are under the influence. Others focus on harm reduction and may be more flexible.
Curfew and quiet hours are standard. Lights typically go out between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and you are expected to stay in your assigned bed during sleeping hours. Loud noise, fighting, or threatening behavior will get you asked to leave. Sexual harassment and violence are not tolerated.
Visitors are usually not allowed in sleeping areas, and some shelters do not allow any visitors at all. If you need to meet someone, ask staff where you can do that outside the shelter. Weapons, including knives and firearms, are prohibited everywhere.
If you break a shelter's rules, you may be asked to leave that night or banned for a period of time. If that happens, call 211 again — they can help you find another shelter or other resources.
Getting meals and basic services at shelters
Most Des Moines shelters provide at least one meal — usually dinner when you check in and breakfast before you leave in the morning. Some also offer lunch or snacks. The food is basic but intended to meet daily nutrition needs. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, tell staff when you arrive.
Shelters typically have bathrooms with showers, though shower times may be limited. Some provide towels and soap; others ask you to bring your own. A few shelters offer laundry facilities or can point you to a laundromat nearby. Ask what is available when you check in.
Many shelters have staff or volunteers who can connect you to other services — medical care, mental health counseling, job training, or help finding permanent housing. These connections are not automatic, but if you ask, staff can usually tell you what is available and how to contact those programs. Some shelters have social workers on site during the day.
How to plan for shelter stays longer than one night
If you need shelter for more than a few nights, tell 211 or shelter staff. Some shelters have longer-stay programs — typically 30 to 90 days — that require you to work with a case manager on a plan to find housing or address barriers like job loss or medical issues. These programs are more structured than night-only shelter and may require you to participate in job training, counseling, or other activities.
Waiting lists for longer-stay programs can be weeks long, so explore early. In the meantime, you can use night-only shelter while you wait. Some people stay in night shelter for months while working toward permanent housing.
If you are chronically homeless — meaning you have been without stable housing for a year or more, or have had four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three years — you may be prioritized for longer-stay programs or permanent supportive housing. Tell staff about your housing history so they can connect you to the right program.
Other resources if shelter is not available or not right for you
On nights when shelters are full, 211 can tell you about overflow options. During winter, the city sometimes opens warming centers in community buildings that provide a safe place to sleep even if they are not traditional shelters. These may have fewer services but will keep you warm.
If you have a mental health crisis, call 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to Broadlawns Medical Center's emergency department. Staff can connect you to crisis stabilization services and help you find shelter as part of your care plan. If you are a veteran, the VA has housing programs and can connect you to shelter specifically for veterans.
If you have a job or income but cannot afford housing right now, you may be able to stay in a motel or transitional housing program instead of shelter. Ask 211 about rapid rehousing programs or emergency rental funds — these are different from shelter but may be faster if you have some income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Des Moines resident to use a shelter?
No. Shelters serve anyone who needs a bed that night, regardless of where you are from. You do not need to prove you live in Des Moines or Iowa. If you just arrived in the city, call 211 and explain that — they will still help you find a bed.
What happens if I have a mental health condition or disability?
Tell shelter staff when you arrive. Most shelters have experience working with people who have mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities. Staff can usually make accommodations — for example, a bed on the ground floor if stairs are difficult, or a quieter area if noise is triggering. If a shelter cannot meet your needs, 211 can connect you to a shelter that can.
Can I store my belongings at a shelter during the day?
This varies by shelter. Some have lockers or storage areas where you can leave a bag during the day. Others do not allow daytime storage and ask you to take everything with you when you leave in the morning. Ask staff about storage when you check in, or call 211 to ask which shelters offer daytime storage.
What if I am traveling with someone else?
Tell 211 when you call. Some shelters can keep couples or small groups together in the same room or nearby beds. Others separate people by gender or do not have space to keep groups together. If one shelter cannot accommodate you as a group, 211 can find one that can, or help you figure out your options.
How do I move from shelter to permanent housing?
Ask to speak with a case manager or social worker at the shelter. If the shelter does not have one on site, 211 can connect you to housing programs in Des Moines. Rapid rehousing programs help people move from shelter to an apartment within weeks. Permanent supportive housing is for people with longer-term barriers. Both require you to work with a case manager, but they lead to a lease in your name.