San Antonio's main shelter options and how to reach them
San Antonio has several shelters run by different organizations, and which one you can enter depends on your situation, age, and what services you need. The largest provider is the Haven for Hope, a 240-bed facility downtown that serves single adults and families. You can walk in during intake hours or call 210-212-2000 to ask about bed availability before you go. Corazon Ministries runs a men's shelter on the South Side and a women's shelter downtown; both take walk-ins. The Salvation Army operates family shelters and men's shelters across the city and requires a phone call first to confirm space.
If you have children with you, family shelters are your first option. Haven for Hope accepts families, as does the Salvation Army's family program. If you are a single adult, Haven for Hope, Corazon, and the Salvation Army all have beds. If you are under 18 and unaccompanied, San Antonio Youth Shelter (210-733-8867) is designed for your situation and can hold you while they work on a longer-term plan.
The fastest way to find a bed is to call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). The person who answers knows which shelters have space that day and can tell you exactly where to go and what to bring. This saves you from walking to a shelter that is full.
Key Takeaways
- Haven for Hope (downtown) and Corazon Ministries are the largest shelters; both take walk-ins during intake hours, though calling first to check for beds saves time.
- Families should call the Salvation Army or Haven for Hope first, as family shelters fill faster than single-adult beds.
- Calling 211 tells you which shelters have space today and gives you directions and what documents to bring.
- Most shelters require proof of identity or a police report if you have no ID, and some require a background check before entry.
- Shelters typically provide a bed, meals, and a case manager who helps you find permanent housing or other services.
What to bring and what shelters will ask you
Bring a photo ID if you have one. If you do not, bring anything with your name on it — a Social Security card, birth certificate, or even a piece of mail. If you have nothing, most shelters will file a police report for you or accept a statement from you about your identity. This takes longer but does not disqualify you from staying.
Shelters will ask you basic questions: your name, date of birth, whether you have been to that shelter before, and whether you have any medical conditions or medications they need to know about. They will ask if you are currently using drugs or alcohol. This is not a test you can fail — they ask so they can place you safely and connect you with treatment if you want it. Some shelters do a background check, but a criminal record does not automatically keep you out. Sex offender registrants may be restricted from certain facilities; ask when you call.
Bring any medications you take regularly. If you cannot bring them, tell the intake worker and they can help you get a prescription filled or transferred. Bring a change of clothes if you have one. Most shelters provide a locker or bag for your belongings, though theft can happen; do not bring anything you cannot afford to lose.
How long you can stay and what happens next
Most San Antonio shelters offer stays of 30 to 90 days, though this varies by shelter and by your situation. Haven for Hope typically works with people for 30 days while they assess your needs and connect you to services. If you need more time, case managers can help you move to transitional housing or explore for permanent supportive housing programs. The Salvation Army often allows longer stays if you are working with a case manager on a housing plan.
During your stay, a case manager will meet with you to understand your situation. They will help you explore for benefits you may be may have access to to, connect you with job training or employment services, and look for permanent housing. If you have mental health or substance use needs, they can refer you to treatment. This is not forced — you choose whether to work with services, but having a plan makes it more likely you will move out of the shelter into stable housing.
If you do not follow shelter rules — such as curfew, sobriety policies, or not bringing weapons or drugs inside — you can be asked to leave. Rules vary by shelter, so ask about them when you arrive. If you are asked to leave, case managers can sometimes help you find another shelter or a temporary alternative.
Shelters for specific situations
Veterans: The Salvation Army runs a veterans program with beds reserved for people who served in the military. Call 210-223-2221 to ask about availability. The VA also funds transitional housing for veterans; call the San Antonio VA at 210-617-5300 to ask about housing programs.
People with disabilities: Haven for Hope and Corazon both serve people with physical and mental disabilities. Tell the intake worker about your disability so they can place you in a bed that works for you and connect you with services. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility needs, ask whether the shelter can accommodate you before you go.
LGBTQ individuals: Haven for Hope has a policy of non-discrimination and serves LGBTQ people. Corazon Ministries also serves all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. If you have concerns about safety, ask to speak with a supervisor when you arrive.
People with pets: Most San Antonio shelters do not allow pets inside. Haven for Hope can sometimes work with you to find temporary pet boarding while you stay. Call ahead and ask; do not show up with a pet expecting to keep it with you.
Getting connected to permanent housing from shelter
The goal of every shelter is to move you into permanent housing. While you are in shelter, your case manager will help you understand what housing programs exist and whether you may be able to enter one. San Antonio has Housing First programs that prioritize getting people into apartments quickly, even if they have barriers like a criminal record or poor credit. Your case manager can refer you.
You will also be connected to benefits you may be may have access to to — Social Security, disability, unemployment, food information. These take time to process, but having them makes it easier to pay rent once you move out. If you have a job or can get one, case managers can help you understand how work affects your benefits and housing options.
Transitional housing is a step between shelter and permanent housing. You stay for 6 to 24 months, pay a small amount of rent, and work with staff on job training, budgeting, and other skills. San Antonio has several transitional programs; your case manager can tell you which ones have openings.
If you are turned away or need help now
If a shelter tells you they are full, ask them to put you on a waiting list or refer you to another shelter. Call 211 again — they track which shelters have space and can send you somewhere else. If it is late at night and all shelters are full, some cities have emergency overflow beds; ask 211 whether San Antonio does.
If you are in when ready danger, call 911. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and they can connect you to crisis services and shelter if needed.
If you have been turned away because of a disability, sexual orientation, or other protected reason, you can file a complaint with the city or with the organization running the shelter. Ask for a supervisor when it happens and ask how to file a complaint. You can also call the Texas Homeless Network at 512-232-1399 to report problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a San Antonio resident to stay in a shelter?
No. Most San Antonio shelters serve anyone who needs a bed, regardless of where you are from. Some transitional housing programs may ask about residency, but emergency shelters do not. When you call or arrive, tell them the truth about where you are from — it does not affect whether you can stay.
What if I have a criminal record?
A criminal record does not automatically keep you out of most shelters. Sex offender registrants may face restrictions at certain facilities. When you call, ask directly whether your situation will affect your entry. If one shelter turns you away, another may accept you.
Can I bring my partner or friend?
If you are a couple, most shelters have beds for couples or can place you near each other. Tell intake staff you are together. If you have a friend, they can stay in the same shelter but in a different bed; you cannot share a bed unless you are a couple or family.
What if I relapse or use drugs while in shelter?
Most shelters do not automatically remove you for one use. They will talk to you about it and may require you to work with a counselor or treatment program. If you repeatedly break sobriety rules, you can be asked to leave. If you want treatment, tell your case manager — they can connect you to programs.
How do I get my belongings if I was asked to leave?
Ask the shelter staff for your belongings before you go. If they say you cannot return, ask them to mail your things to you or hold them for pickup. If the shelter keeps your belongings unfairly, you can file a complaint with the organization or call the Texas Homeless Network.