How to find a shelter bed in Omaha right now
Call the Omaha Police Department's non-emergency line at 402-444-5656 and ask for a shelter referral, or contact the Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services at 402-444-7000. Both can tell you which shelters have beds available that night. If you are in when ready danger, call 911.
The main shelters in Omaha are the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (402-341-1918), the Omaha Rescue Mission (402-341-7274), and the Siena Francis House (402-342-2177). Each has different rules about length of stay, what you can bring, and whether they require sobriety or religious participation. Calling ahead tells you whether a bed is open and what to bring with you.
If you have a family with children, the Omaha Housing Authority's Family Shelter Program serves families experiencing homelessness. Contact them at 402-444-3600 to learn about current availability and intake procedures.
Key Takeaways
- The Omaha Police non-emergency line (402-444-5656) and Douglas County Health and Human Services (402-444-7000) both refer people to available shelter beds the same day.
- The Salvation Army, Omaha Rescue Mission, and Siena Francis House are the largest shelters, each with different rules about sobriety, religious services, and how long you can stay.
- Families with children should contact the Omaha Housing Authority's Family Shelter Program at 402-444-3600 for family-specific shelter options.
- Shelters usually require you to arrive by a set time in the evening and leave by morning, though some offer extended stays or transitional housing.
What to bring and what shelters require
Most Omaha shelters ask you to bring a photo ID if you have one, though lack of ID does not prevent you from staying. Bring any medications you take regularly in their original bottles — shelters will not store loose pills. A change of clothes and toiletries are useful, though shelters provide basic supplies if you arrive without them.
Rules differ by shelter. The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center requires sobriety and participation in their work program; the Omaha Rescue Mission requires attendance at religious services; Siena Francis House has fewer restrictions and serves people regardless of sobriety status. Ask when you call what the specific rules are for the night you need shelter, because policies can change and some shelters have different rules for different seasons.
Most shelters do not allow pets, though some have exceptions for service animals. If you have a pet, ask the shelter directly or contact the Omaha Animal Rescue League at 402-733-1213 to ask about temporary pet boarding while you stay in shelter.
Length of stay and what happens after
Emergency shelter in Omaha is typically night-only: you check in by 6 or 7 p.m., sleep, and leave by 7 or 8 a.m. This is meant to be temporary while you find longer-term housing or a transitional program. If you need shelter for more than a few nights, tell the shelter staff when you arrive — some can refer you to longer-term programs.
The Omaha Rescue Mission and Salvation Army both run longer-term residential programs that last weeks or months. These programs usually require participation in job training, counseling, or other services. Siena Francis House offers transitional housing for people working toward permanent housing. Ask about these options when you call for a bed, or ask shelter staff the night you arrive.
If you are working with a case manager or social worker, bring their contact information. Shelters can coordinate with them to help you move toward permanent housing rather than returning to shelter each night.
Shelter during winter months
Omaha winters are severe, and shelters sometimes expand capacity or extend hours during cold weather. The city activates a cold-weather shelter protocol when temperatures drop below freezing. Call 402-444-5656 to ask whether cold-weather shelter is available — it may be in a different location than the regular shelter.
Some churches and community centers also open as warming centers during extreme cold. The Omaha Police non-emergency line can tell you which locations are open that night. If you cannot reach anyone, go to any fire station — firefighters are trained to help people in cold-weather emergencies and can direct you to shelter.
Getting help beyond shelter
Shelter is a place to sleep, not a path to housing. To move toward permanent housing, you need to connect with case management. The Omaha Housing Authority, Siena Francis House, and the Omaha Rescue Mission all have case managers who can help you understand your options for permanent housing, including public housing, rental information, or transitional programs.
If you have a disability, mental illness, or substance use disorder, tell shelter staff or a case manager — Omaha has programs specifically for people with these conditions. The Douglas County Department of Health and Human Services can refer you to mental health services, addiction treatment, or disability services that may help you stabilize and move into housing.
If you are fleeing domestic violence, do not go to a general shelter. Call the Omaha Domestic Violence Crisis Center at 402-595-2108 for confidential shelter and services designed for people in your situation.
Shelter for youth and young adults
If you are under 18, the Omaha Youth Shelter (402-444-7275) serves young people separately from adult shelters. They provide shelter, meals, and case management focused on reunification with family or connection to other services. If you are 18 to 24, you may be served by youth-focused programs or adult shelters depending on your situation — ask when you call.
The Omaha Youth Shelter also runs drop-in services during the day where you can shower, do laundry, and talk to a counselor without committing to overnight shelter. Call them to ask about daytime services if you need when ready help but are not ready for overnight shelter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have nowhere to go tonight and it is after hours?
Call the Omaha Police non-emergency line at 402-444-5656 even late at night — they take shelter referrals 24 hours a day. If you are in when ready danger, call 911. Police can direct you to a shelter with a bed available or a warming center if it is cold.
Can I stay in a shelter if I use drugs or alcohol?
It depends on the shelter. The Salvation Army and Omaha Rescue Mission require sobriety. Siena Francis House serves people regardless of sobriety status. Call each shelter to ask their specific policy, or tell the police dispatcher when you call for a referral that you need a shelter without sobriety requirements.
What if I have a criminal record or outstanding warrant?
Most shelters do not run background checks and do not turn people away for criminal history. If you have an active warrant, tell a case manager or shelter staff — they can sometimes help you understand your options without putting you at risk. Do not let fear of a warrant prevent you from getting shelter.
Can I store my belongings at a shelter during the day?
Most emergency shelters do not store daytime belongings. Siena Francis House and some transitional programs do. If you need daytime storage, ask the shelter when you arrive, or contact the Omaha Housing Authority to ask about day centers or storage options for people experiencing homelessness.
How do I get into permanent housing from shelter?
Ask for a case manager the night you arrive at shelter. They can help you understand your options: public housing through the Omaha Housing Authority, rental information programs, or transitional housing. You will need a photo ID and proof of income or benefits to move forward. Case managers can help you gather these documents.